Infectious diseases in Iran: a bird's eye view.

Thanks to improved health standards in Iran over the past three decades, we have witnessed a shift in the causes of death in Iran from infectious causes to non-communicable diseases-mainly cardiovascular disorders, cancers, and road traffic injuries. The incidence and prevalence of many infectious diseases, such as many parasitic infections, have fallen significantly; there have been no reported cases of dracunculiasis in Iran since the mid-1970s. Great strides have also been made towards the elimination of schistosomiasis in Iran. However, we still have some problems with cutaneous leishmaniasis, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, infections among immunocompromised hosts, hospital-acquired infections, and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. We need to emphasize improvements in sanitation, good clinical practice, and education about the rational administration of antibiotics.