Is the world ready for another pandemic?
In brief: The Ebola and Zika pandemics that broke out in 2014 and 2015, respectively, caused widespread panic all over the world that spread faster than the viruses themselves. Today, we are seeing a bird flu epidemic called H7N9 that has been circulating around China since 2013 and scientists fear that this virus could spark the next world crisis.
For the moment, the H7N9 virus cannot spread from person to person easily. Nonetheless, this could change. In fact, the longer the virus remains present in humans, the more likely it is to develop and mutate into something extremely contagious. Once that happens, there’s nothing that will stop it from hopping on a plane from China to any other part of the world.
Due to globalisation, physical borders are constantly dissolving, thus creating an environment in which epidemics are more easily spread, making new pandemics the new norm. In response to pandemics, the go-to policies are travel bans and quarantines. So, why is the world so terrified of pandemics? Are the necessary institutions in place in order to fight back such a threat if it ever reaches the doorstep of economically developed countries?
Ebola revealed how ill-prepared the world is to counter such international phenomena as pandemics. Although very few cases were witnessed in economically developed countries, or in other words, the Western world, a psychological barrier was breached. The myth of infallibility of the West was shattered. These outbreaks blatantly exposed how slowly the world responds, how much strong leadership is needed and how badly we need treatments and vaccines.
What are some potential solutions? Does the private sector need to be involved? Pharmaceutical companies don’t have the necessary incentive. Viruses such as Zika and Ebola are not worth the initial investment, especially since the returns earned from vaccines that would protect the world from them would never be able to compensate for the enormous R&D expenditure. In an ideal world, governments would contribute in order to incentivise the private sector to get more involved. Not only is the private sector much more prepared but its demonstrated efficiency would provide the necessary tools to act fast, much faster than before anyway.
With the immense network of flights available, viruses could easily be spread, unabated by physical barriers. However, with greater awareness and a stronger public infrastructure, viruses will have a harder time reaching different corners of the world. Clearly, mass hysteria in the West erupted not only due to its perceived defencelessness but also due to its inability to actually respond to such a threat. In the end, viruses do not discriminate. They can get transmitted no matter who you are, rich or poor. The developed world is not used to being placed at a par with developing countries. In the case of pandemics, it is. Therefore, if extensive attention is not given to the public health infrastructure around the world, pandemics will continue to spread and worsen over time.
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