The Next Pandemic: Are We Ready?
Viruses know no borders and COVID-19 proved no country can face a global health threat alone. This year, two outbreaks tested the systems built since: a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, contained through international cooperation, and the fastest-moving Ebola outbreak ever seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on 25 September, Olla Shideed, Chief of Health Emergencies Governance at the World Health Organization, explains what has changed since the COVID pandemic and what still needs to be done. She explains why international capacities cannot be activated on the spot - they have to be built before the next virus emerges. From strengthening national capacities through the Pandemic Fund to sharing information through the WHO Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Hub, countries have taken important steps to prepare for future health emergencies. But more needs to be done. #UnitedNations #PandemicPreparedness #GlobalHealth #WHO #HealthEmergencies