3 things the world is doing to prepare for the next pandemic

Since the outbreak pandemic three years ago, about a virus that appeared, few could have imagined the devastation that was about to be unleashed.

In order to ensure that the world is better prepared for the next health emergency invisible, an association of nations, foundations, and civil society organizations has launched the financial intermediary fund (FIF) for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

In that sense, the Pandemic Fund It will operate under the auspices of the World Bank, which will act as trustee. The Secretariat shall have its headquarters in the world Bank under the direction of Priya Basu, Chief Executive Officer and Development Finance Specialist.

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The general objective of the fund is to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) to pandemics, directing investments towards the weakest areas, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

“The Pandemic Fund has a unique and vital role in making the world safer”declared the Dr Chatib Basrico-chair of the Board of Directors of the Fund. “PPR is a global public good that benefits everyone. Every dollar we mobilize now to invest in PPR in low- and middle-income countries will save lives and financial costs and lead to a more resilient world for years to come.”Basri added.

He Pandemic Fund it is just one initiative among a series of actions designed to offer protection in the event of the next health emergency. Here are three other ways the world can reduce the risks of future crises.

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Genomic surveillance of pathogens

The ability to rapidly detect the pathogens that cause a pandemic will be critical to effective disease management. Immediately identifying and sharing the genomic sequences of dangerous pathogens will accelerate the development and delivery of effective medical interventions.

AI and machine learning are being used to detect the threat of viruses that jump the barrier between animals and humans. A report published in the magazine Nature details how the FluLeap machine learning algorithm detected the human compatibility of H5N8 bird flu viruses after an outbreak in Russia. The British Medical Journalbased in the UK, has published a call for the creation of a new global surveillance network to detect dangerous viruses.

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Modular vaccine factories

The coronavirus pandemic has also highlighted the huge disparity in the ability to manufacture cures and vaccines to provide widespread access to them.

According to the United Nations Development Program, as of July 20, 2022, nearly three in four people in high-income countries (72%) had received a vaccine, compared with less than one-third (30%) in low income.

To try to overcome inequality in the field of vaccines, the manufacturer BioNTech has developed turnkey vaccine factories made from shipping containers. The first factory is being shipped to Rwanda and should be operational in the first quarter of 2023.

BioNtech stated that the Kigali facility will house the first BioNtainer, which is expected to become part of a broader supply network spanning several African nations that will have access to the mRNA-based vaccine.

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Protect nature to avoid pandemics

Three quarters of all emerging infectious diseases are transmitted to people through wildlife, according to the World Health Organization. These “zoonotic” diseases are usually transmitted by viruses such as Covid-19, in addition to other diseases such as Ebola and bird flu.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) states that animal diseases are transmitted to human populations when people come into close contact with affected wild animals. This occurs, according to Pnuma, “when practices that upset the balance of nature increase the risk of disease and transmission.”

UNEP has identified six nature-based solutions that can help protect against future pandemics. These measures include: protecting wildlife habitats, restoring ecosystems, safeguarding species diversity and ensuring safe, legal and sustainable trade in wildlife. UNEP is also calling for greener supply chains and ambitious international environmental policies.

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