EMARIS Conference 2023: Convergence of science, policy, and practice on acute respiratory infections in post COVID‐19 Eastern Mediterranean Region

Abstract

policy, and practice on acute respiratory infections in post COVID-19 Eastern Mediterranean Region Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is consistently ranked among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It kills more than 4 million people each year globally yet has been referred to as a "forgotten pandemic." 1 New viral respiratory pathogens are emerging with increasing frequency and have demonstrated their potential for devastating global public health, socio-economic and political impacts. 2 Within two decades, the world has faced an influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 pandemic and the emergence of three highly pathogenic and deadly human coronaviruses, namely SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, the last one causing a pandemic. 3 As a