Infectious diseases on the 21st century doorstep

Accelerating change can be expected to occur in the fields of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. New pathogens, new diseases, new technologies, new vaccines and new treatment modalities will descend on us with increasing frequency in the decade ahead. In order to cope with and even appreciate change, we need to increase our commitment to training, recruiting and retaining health professionals in these disciplines, enhance our research programs, and remain enthusiastic about the benefits offered by skilled, knowledgeable practitioners to our patients. Infectious disease deaths have been increasing during the '90's in most societies. We must reverse this!