The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), which tracks and monitors global pandemic preparedness, today released its annual report.
The report begins: “The outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 in cattle and its spread to humans, and the emergence of a new species of mpox in central Africa are recent signs of concern.” “The high likelihood of further spread of infection should serve as a wake-up call to the international community.”
The report outlines 15 key drivers of pandemic risk, categorized into social, technological, environmental, economic and political. Despite the interconnectedness of the scientific community, the report states that distrust of governments at home and abroad threatens global health.
Renewing trust in public health and science is paramount before future pandemics, the report says. It is also emphasized that the next pandemic is unlikely to be similar to the novel coronavirus disease (COVIV-19).
Focusing solely on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic risks preparing us for the last battle rather than the next.
“Focusing solely on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic risks preparing for the last battle rather than the next,” the report said.
Tropical disease threat
Overall, the report says countries need to adopt a One Health approach as animal-human contact is likely to be the cause of the next pandemic.
“Places with close human-animal-environment interactions and rapid changes are ripe for becoming new hotspots for new diseases with infectious potential,” the authors wrote. I’m writing. “Temperate countries may soon see outbreaks of diseases that are commonly seen.” In tropical regions, mosquito-transmitted diseases such as dengue fever and yellow fever occur. ”
The report also noted the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the detection of polio in Gaza, and emphasized that political instability can have a significant impact on public health.
