Preparedness for emerging infectious diseases: pathways from anticipation to action

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease (EID) events can have devastating human, animal and environmental health impacts. The emergence of EIDs has been associated with interconnected economic, social and environmental changes. Understanding these changes is crucial for EID preparedness and subsequent prevention and control of EID events. The aim of this review is to describe tools currently available for identification, prioritization and investigation of EIDs impacting human and animal health, and how these might be integrated into a systematic approach for directing EID preparedness. Environmental scanning, foresight programmes, horizon scanning and surveillance are used to collect and assess information for rapidly responding to EIDs and to anticipate drivers of emergence for mitigating future EID impacts. Prioritization of EIDs - using transparent and repeatable methods - based on disease impacts and the importance of those impacts to decision-makers can then be used for more efficient resource allocation for prevention and control. Risk assessment and simulation modelling methods assess the likelihood of EIDs occurring, define impact and identify mitigation strategies. Each of these tools has a role to play individually; however, we propose integration of these tools into a framework that enhances the development of tactical and strategic plans for emerging risk preparedness.

New and emerging infectious diseases (Ebola, Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Candida auris): Focus on environmental survival and germicide susceptibility

“…Recent articles have provided recommendations for preparedness at the health care facility, local and national levels. 10,[18][19][20]…”

Assessment of preparedness against emerging infectious disease among private hospitals in a district of South India

“…1e3 They are considered to be a major public health problem because of its potential to be used as biological warfare agents and can have a devastating effect on animal and environmental health. 4,5 One of the other major challenges in combating these diseases is their unpredictable nature and their ability to assume pandemic proportions. 2 Their unpredictable nature also makes it difficult to control the diseases and can cause the spread of infection even across national boundaries.…”

Portable sequencing, genomic data, and scale in global emerging infectious disease surveillance

“…A great deal of recent work in the surveillance of infectious disease has called for the integration of different surveillance networks into a unified global system (Barboza, ; Brookes et al., ; Gardy & Loman, ; Gardy et al., ; Moon et al., ). Just as infectious diseases have no regard for national borders, the argument goes, nor should attitudes toward data sharing: global risk must be met by global surveillance efforts across political boundaries to prevent loss of life .…”