A comparison of the inherent salient features of smallpox, polio, measles, and malaria infections that favour or impede elimination of the disease and the most effective past and current interventions.

aP. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale are restricted to human hosts. P. knowlesi, which mainly infects nonhuman primates, can also cause disease in humans following natural transmission.bHowever, the development of immunity against clinical disease follows repeated infections.ACT, artemisinin combination therapy; IPTi, intermittent preventive treatment in infants; IPTp, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy; IRS, indoor residual spraying; ITN, insecticide treated bednets.