In a recent interview, representatives from the United Nations Office in Geneva revealed concerning findings from a new report presented at the 15th World Health Summit. The report indicates that multiple risk factors are heightening the chances of new pandemic outbreaks worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are significant threats to global public health from emerging diseases such as the Marburg virus, monkeypox, and the latest avian influenza strains. Alarmingly, 17 outbreaks of dangerous diseases have already occurred in just the first year of 2024, exposing weaknesses in our existing outbreak response systems.
Supported by both the WHO and the World Bank, the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board has identified key drivers of epidemic risks and assessed global readiness in combating these threats. Their latest findings underscore how various interconnected risk factors are increasingly contributing to the likelihood of new epidemics.
The report categorizes five major areas of global epidemic risk and highlights 15 critical drivers. Key challenges include a breakdown of trust between and within countries, social inequality, intensive farming practices, and the potential for cross-species transmission of diseases. Beyond traditional health risks, emerging threats such as cyberattacks, intensified biosecurity risks, and the rapid spread of misinformation are also contributing to the problem.
The report further illustrates the complexity and interdependence of factors leading to epidemic outbreak risks, emphasizing that “preparedness for epidemic response is no longer just the responsibility of individual countries or sectors, but a shared duty of the global community.”
Looking ahead, the report stresses that the ability to respond effectively to future health emergencies will rely heavily on investments in research and development, advancements in technology, robust health infrastructure, and a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic nature of epidemic risk factors. It calls for nations and sectors to collaborate in reducing pandemic-related risks to ensure the safety of global public health.
