Emerging infectious diseases and professional integrity: Thoughts for the new millennium

The challenges of infection control can put the professional in conflict wi th political, legal, or administrative authorities. What is likely to be ef fective infection control policy may not be popular institutional policy. E conomic implications of an outbreak investigation or infection control stra tegy may dominate a debate that should be informed by the greatest good for the public. Privacy concerns, legal liability fears, economic disincentive s, and failures to confront issues that are embarrassing for the institutio n inhibit public health professionals whose helpful insights can protect th e public health only when accompanied by policy change. We discuss key issu es that can inhibit effective infection control responses, highlighting tha t personal and professional integrity is as vital a feature of disease cont rol in the new millennium as it has been throughout the history of infectio n prevention and control.