[Global eradication of dracunculiasis is a reality nowadays].

Global efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis have continued to progress with only 542 cases reported in 2012 versus almost 1 million cases in the 1980s when the initiative was launched. The disease is still endemic, but in only four countries: South Sudan (541 cases), Chad (10 cases), Mali (4 cases), and Ethiopia (4 cases). The International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication declared that 180 countries were free of the disease by 2013. Dracunculiasis was first eradicated in the former USSR in 1931 when its last case was registered due to the successful implementation of a package of appropriate measures (case detection and management, vector control, and health education, including water filtration from open water sources and behavioral changes). These approaches were actively taken into account when developing the global strategy for dracunculiasis. The World Health Organization has set a goal to eradicate the disease by 2015. However, despite the fact that the global situation looks very optimistic, the time for completing the program will be most likely postponed due to a few operational challenges remaining in the still endemic countries, in South Sudan in particular.

[Russian experience with international health cooperation at early stages of its development].

It is a historical review of the development of international health cooperation and participation of Russia at its early stages. Detailed information is presented concerning joint work for control of malaria and other parasitic infections with WHO, CMEA countries, developed and developing states. The important role of E.I. Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine in combating infections and in health protection at large is emphasized. Current collaboration and its prospects are briefly discussed.

Immunization of 6 and 9 month old infants with AIK-C, Edmonston-Zagreb, Leningrad-16 and Schwarz strains of measles vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Measles kills more than 1 million infants per year and is particularly lethal in infants < 1 year old in developing countries. Recent reports have suggested that measles vaccines of different strains and titre differ in their immunogenicity in young infants. We sought to identify strains and titres of measles vaccines which would be effective in 6 and 9 month old infants. METHODS: We conducted a randomized trial of AIK-C, Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ), Leningrad-16 and Schwarz strains of measles vaccine at different titres in 1202 6 month old and 1250 9 month old infants. Antibody levels were measured by haemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroconversion was defined as a change from seronegative to seropositive or a fourfold rise in titre above the expected level after antibody decay (assumed antibody half-life = 6 weeks). Chi-square tests were used to compare seroconversion rates and rates of adverse reactions among the groups. Comparison of geometric mean titres (GMT) was done by the Student's t-test. RESULTS: No severe or unusual adverse reactions occurred during the 6 weeks after vaccination. All strains induced high seroconversion rates in 9 month old infants. In 6 month olds, medium- and standard-titre AIK-C induced the highest rates of seroconversion. Antibody titres at 6 weeks after vaccination were highest in recipients of Schwartz vaccine and lowest for EZ vaccine recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Standard-titre AIK-C may be more effective than other measles vaccine strains for early measles immunization and should be evaluated further for efficacy, long-term immunogenicity, and long-term safety.

EUROHEALTH Programme.

The countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) and the newly independent states (NIS) of the former USSR are undergoing rapid and profound change, and assistance from the international community has lacked a common focus. In late 1990, the WHO Regional Committee for Europe created the EUROHEALTH programme to try to meet the urgent and medium-term needs of the CCEE/NIS for technical, managerial and material resources within the framework of the long-term regional strategy for health for all. The programme's strategy includes making collaborative agreements with each of the CCEE/NIS, raising funds and coordinating tripartite assistance with a wide variety of international organizations. The Regional Office for Europe has changed to support the EUROHEALTH programme by establishing a Country Health Development department, and an information clearing-house to track assistance to the NIS so it can be provided more efficiently. The programme's work has created a flow of information and better coordination of cooperation between all the organizations working in the health sector in the CCEE/NIS. The most important EUROHEALTH activities in 1992-1993 have focused on: relieving shortages of vaccines and medical equipment, developing health policy and developing programmes on such issues as health service reform, human resources, noncommunicable diseases, maternal and child health, AIDS and environment and health. The EUROHEALTH programme is a pragmatic and highly appropriate approach to the CCEE/NIS; its main need is for more funding to enable it to meet countries' needs more precisely and to cooperate more effectively with other organizations.