The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that outbreaks of Marburg virus, monkeypox and the latest avian flu virus pose serious challenges to global public health security. In 2024 alone, 17 dangerous epidemics have occurred worldwide. They not only exposed the weaknesses of the existing epidemic prevention and control system, but also highlighted the global lack of preparedness to respond to epidemics.
During the 15th World Health Summit (WHS) being held in Berlin from October 15 to 17, 2024, a new report from the UN body showed that multiple risk factors increase the likelihood of new epidemics.
The report summarizes 15 key drivers of epidemic risks and divides them into five categories: social, technological, environmental, economic and political. Major current threats include lack of trust between and within countries, social inequality, intensive agriculture and the potential for human-animal cross-infection.
The report also reveals new risks beyond traditional health drivers, such as cyberattacks, increased biosecurity threats and the rapid spread of misinformation, which further increase the risk of outbreaks.
Immediate action is crucial
The co-chair of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Committee and former Minister of Health of Botswana, said: “The next epidemic will not wait for us to improve the system. We must invest now in building resilient and equitable primary health care systems to meet the challenges of tomorrow. »
The report reveals the complexity and interdependence of factors that determine the risk factors for the epidemic. But it also highlights that risks can be significantly reduced and preparedness strengthened by increasing the flexibility of response measures, improving social protection levels and promoting international cooperation and collaboration. All countries should work to strengthen health systems and ensure that all communities, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, have access to basic health services. Gross domestic product alone cannot measure a country’s resilience to the epidemic.
Global response to challenges
The report further emphasizes that preparedness for epidemic control and prevention should cover comprehensive strategies for human, animal and environmental health. The report therefore calls on all departments to strengthen cooperation to jointly mitigate epidemic risks.
As for the co-chair of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Committee and former President of Croatia, he stressed: “We face an urgent and valuable opportunity to review global preparedness for epidemic prevention and control, to assess the risks from a perspective beyond the health domain, and national conditions and adopt a more proactive response strategy.
The report provides policymakers with a framework to adapt existing health strategies and respond more effectively to epidemic-related challenges, including ensuring that prevention and response plans are regularly reviewed and have the flexibility to respond to diverse scenarios .
In today’s world of global interconnection, preparations for epidemic prevention and control are no longer the task of individual countries or departments, but the common responsibility of global society. “Countries must work together to jointly respond to the challenges posed by the epidemic and ensure global public health security,” the report concludes.
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