Emerging infectious diseases in Uruguay: memories from the XXth century.

Mankind has faced infectious disease epidemics since the dawn of history, but in our globalized world they are now called emerging infectious diseases. These are defined as an infection which is new in a population, or which has existed but is rapidly increasing its prevalence or geographic range, or which arises again after remaining dormant for a long period. These diseases have become more frequent because new dynamic factors act upon the behavior of the infectious agents and the target populations. Our purpose has been to look for publications dealing with outbreaks occurring in Uruguay during the XXth century, and simultaneously demonstrate the evolution of the biologic knowledge and resources for their control. Several frequent endemo-epidemic diseases which were common during first decades were vaccine-controlled by the end of the century, while others persisted or the introduction of new agents caused epidemics. Locating bibliography describing bacterial or viral epidemic outbreaks has proved difficult. Anyway we were able to describe epidemics of the prevalent infectious diseases and evaluate the success or failure in their control. It has also helped to study the infectious agents strength to survive. Both worldwide and in Uruguay the scientific and technical progress achieved during XXth century was surprising: from an incipient microbiology in hundred years a high level of knowledge has enabled us to be prepared for renewed challenges.