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U.S.-EU Transatlantic Agenda Creates Task Force on Communicable Diseases Released by the Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, June 12, 1996.

President Clinton and the leaders of member states of the European Union (EU) announced on June 12, 1996, a Joint Task Force on Communicable Diseases to combat the increasing threat from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The Task Force will develop a unified pragmatic and flexible global early warning and response network against infectious diseases.

The Task force will also:

• strengthen communications networks and information exchange for public health officials;
• develop inexpensive and easily used diagnostic tools, vaccines, and drugs;
• strengthen medical and public health research and training;
• enhance public awareness and support for practical measures that strengthen the capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease threats; and,
• work with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Joint Program on AIDS, private business, and other national and international non-governmental organizations in a global partnership against these growing health dangers.

The Task Force will expand cooperative exchanges with other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. Under the U.S.-Japan Common Agenda, cooperative steps against infectious diseases are increasing. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation has undertaken an inventory of medical and public health resources to combat these diseases. In Africa, the fight against malaria will be one priority as the disease is becoming more lethal because of the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.

According to a recent WHO report (released May 20, 1996) infectious diseases, particularly among young children, account for more than one third of the 52 million deaths last year worldwide. These diseases -- many easily preventable -- include acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, yellow fever, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, measles, neonatal tetanus, polio, whooping cough, and diphtheria.

Americans are directly affected by the worldwide spread of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. To bolster our domestic and international capability to respond to this global threat, Vice President Al Gore is announcing today a Presidential Decision Directive mobilizing federal agencies to work with the private sector, NGOs, and state and local health agencies to strengthen American public health networks, and augment international measures.

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