Abstract:
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a significant burden on global economies and public
health as they have the potential to cause numerous deaths.1 According to the recent world health
report, published in 2013 by the World Health Organization (WHO), infectious diseases led to
more human deaths than any other disease throughout the world.2 Infectious diseases are caused by
mainly the microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and so on. Among these all
causative agents, bacterial infectious diseases contribute 20 % to overall global infectious disease
burden. It has been found that in 2011, about 8.2 million (> 25 % of total) of the total deaths (28.3
million) were directly associated with infectious diseases. Bacterial infections contributed to 6.6
million deaths alone.2 Indians face a greater risk of being affected by infectious diseases.3
Recently, The Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP) reported that India occupies the
highest position in bacterial diseases among the world.4 Streptococcus pneumoniae causes death of
4,10,000 lives each year, which includes many children from economically impaired families.5,6
