Control of Communicable Diseases Manual is the most widely recognized sourcebook on infectious diseases. The new 18th edition, available in June, addresses concerns about the impact of communicable diseases around the globe as communicable diseases, new and unknown, continue to thrive, kill, maim and surprise the masses. Among the diseases addressed in the new edition is a chapter on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The emergence of this disease so clearly demonstrates that every country is vulnerable and that the impact of this communicable disease has been felt worldwide. Provided in detail in the 18th edition of CCDM is accurate, informative text for public health workers in official and voluntary health agencies, including those serving in the armed forces and other governmental agencies, and for all students of medicine. Each listing in this easy to read, easy to understand manual includes identification, infectious agent, occurrence, mode of transmission, incubation period, susceptibility and resistance, and methods of control that are not limited to but include prevention and epidemic control measures. The 18th edition of this text is also scheduled to be available, for the first time, online. Translations into several languages-currently Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Serbian, Indonesian and Italian make this text a global treasure. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual has had only five editors in its history. The newest editor to take on the task of diligently overseeing the 18th edition is Dr. David L. Heymann who, along with his team from the World Health Organization (WHO), compiled an impressive group of experts from around the world to serve as reviewers, authors and editors. Thanks to their due diligence, this book has been transformed into a resource responsive to the needs of the global health community.
