from the editor
from the editor
Surveyed Infectious Diseases Experts Rate Influenza as the No . 1 Pathogen of Concern With Pandemic Potential
New research presented at the ESCMID Global
Congress shows that in a survey in which infectious diseases experts were asked to rank pathogens in order of their pandemic potential , influenza was considered the pathogen of highest pandemic risk , with 57 percent ranking influenza as No . 1 , and a further 17 percent ranking it No . 2 .
The study , from the University of Cologne and published in the journal Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease , reported that other highly ranked pathogens included Disease X ( an as-yet unknown disease ) with 21 percent ranking this No . 1 and 14 percent as No . 2 . SARS-CoV-2 was third in terms of No . 1 responses , while the original SARS-CoV virus that circulated in 2002-03 was voted No . 1 by 2 percent of respondents . Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus ( CCHF virus ) and Ebola virus were tied for the fifth spot ; Nipah virus , henipavirus , and Rift Valley fever virus were among the pathogens ranked lowest in terms of their perceived pandemic potential .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has outlined a comprehensive Research and Development ( R & D ) Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics , focusing on key infectious diseases that pose significant threats to public health . These diseases were selected after rigorous evaluation , considering factors such as transmissibility , infectivity , severity , and their potential for evolution .
As the study authors observe , “ The study revealed that influenza , disease X , SARS-CoV-1 , SARS-CoV-2 , and the Ebola virus are the most worrisome pathogens concerning their pandemic potential . These pathogens are characterized by their transmissibility through respiratory droplets and a history of previous epidemic or pandemic outbreaks .”
Commenting on the top ranking of influenza , Dr . Salmanton-García , of University Hospital Cologne , Institute of Translational Research , says , “ Each winter we have an influenza season . One could say that this means that every winter there are little pandemics . They are more or less controlled because the different strains are not virulent enough . Yet , every season the strains involved change , that is the reason why we can get influenza several times in life and vaccines change year to year . In case a new strain becomes more virulent , this control could be lost .”
But he adds the world is now much more prepared due to the COVID-19 pandemic , whereas before a lot of the focus had been on a potential influenza pandemic . He says , “ In COVID-19 pandemic we have learned many things on how to approach a respiratory virus pandemic . This includes social distancing , hand cleaning , face masks , a renewed focus on vaccination , and trust in healthcare institutions . In parallel , institutions have also learnt a lot . Preparedness and surveillance are now , vitally , better-funded .” Until next month , bust those bugs !
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6 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • may 2024