Can we control all-cause meningococcal disease in Europe?

Diversity in pathogenicity can cause outbreaks of meningococcal disease.

Neisseria meningitidis, the meningococcus, is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and septicemia worldwide. Infection in most cases leads to asymptomatic carriage and only rarely to disease. Meningococcal disease often occurs in outbreaks, which are both sporadic and highly unpredictable. The occurrence of disease outbreaks in a host population in which the etiological agent is widely carried...

Cost control, equity and efficiency: can we have it all?

Introduction On March 1, 2006, the Government of Ontario enacted the Local Health System Integration Act, which created 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) (2005, 2006). These organizations are charged with strategic purchasing; they will not directly provide services. Each LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding healthcare services in its region. About two thirds of ...

Where are we with Johne’s Disease Control – Can we Eliminate?

In the US, a major step forward in control of Johne’s disease (JD) was the development and implementation of the JD Herd Risk Assessment and Herd Management Plan. Along with a major educational effort, many herds have joined the US JD Herd Control Program, though many others remain outside of control programs. The focus of this report is to address the issue of control and eradication of Johne’...

Control of meningococcal disease.

What can we learn from Europe?

The European Society of Cardiology has produced guidelines for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction as well as for chronic heart failure and for the use of beta blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These documents provide clear evidence and strength of recommendations for the secondary prevention of complications after a myocardial infarction. The identification of hea...