The challenge of communicable diseases in the WHO South- East Asia Region.

The authors discuss the challenges associated with treating and preventing communicable diseases found in the Southeast Asia region of the World Health Organization (WHO). The region is noted in regard to the high proportion of the world's population and poor who live there. The quantitative impact of communicable diseases is noted in terms of disability-adjusted life years lost. Also noted is the threat of communicable diseases to international health security because of disease transmission across borders. Emerging diseases are noted as continual challenges. Included among them are dengue and chikungunya fever.