International Day Of Epidemic Preparedness

“COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic or pandemic humanity faces. As a global community, we must heed the harsh lessons of COVID-19 and make bold investments in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. We need better surveillance to detect and monitor viruses with epidemic potential. We need more resilient health systems supported by universal health coverage. And we need a health workforce that is well-trained, well-equipped and well-paid. We also need equitable access to vaccines, treatments, diagnostics and life-saving technology for all countries.”- António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The truth is many of us have let our guards down. While many are preparing to party in order to usher in 2023, in some parts of the world COVID-19 is still raging through the population like a wild fire. Just as life was becoming somewhat normal after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new variant of the coronavirus, named BF.7, has emerged in China. The variant has become a cause for serious concern after a massive outbreak of cases in China. Subsequently, the United States of America announced that they are considering imposing COVID restrictions on Chinese arrivals. American officials say this is due to a lack of transparency surrounding the virus in China, as cases surge. "There are mounting concerns in the international community on the ongoing Covid-19 surges in China and the lack of transparent data, including viral genomic sequence data," US officials said in a statement quoted by news agencies. Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan - worried at importing Covid cases - have already outlined tighter measures for Chinese travellers, including negative tests. India is also stepping up measures for Chinese arrivals. China's decision to lift travel restrictions for its citizens appears to be driven by political concerns only. China's loosening of travel measures follows weeks of unrest which saw people take to the streets in rare protests against President Xi Jinping and his government. Global COVID Vaccination According to the respected Johns Hopkins University, in Jamaica, 3,464 deaths have been recorded from COVID-19 and 152,758 confirmed cases of COVID-19. It is estimated that 28.47% of Jamaica’s population has received at least one dose of COVID19 vaccine. On the other hand, in Canada at least 90.48% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. Canada has confirmed 49, 150 deaths and 4,499,552 cases. In the United Kingdom, 79.27% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. There has been 213,996 deaths and 24, 354,623 confirmed cases. In Barbados, 57% of the population has received as least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. Barbados has recorded 104, 944 cases and 568 deaths. In Brazil, 88.70% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. Brazil has recorded 692,969 deaths and 36,190, 389 confirmed cases. In India, 74.43% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. India has recorded 530,696 deaths and 44, 678,683 confirmed cases. In Haiti, there have been 860 deaths from COVID19, 33,893 confirmed cases and only 3.49% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. In Dominica Republic which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti the difference is glaring. There have been 4,384 deaths, 655,540 confirmed cases and 67.29% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID19 vaccine. Epidemics are an unexpected increase of a specific illness within a community or region. Pandemics are when an epidemic occurs worldwide, crossing international borders and affecting a large number of people. Undoubtedly, in such a climate of uncertainties it is prudent to remain prepared for future pandemic or epidemic situations. The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed on December 27 to highlight the need for such an initiative. Minutes from an internal meeting of the National Health Commission estimated that as many as 248 million Chinese people have contracted the coronavirus over the first 20 days of December this according to Bloomberg News. The news emerging from China is frightening and should be a cause of concern for all of us. On December 7, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution which declared December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. The decision is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The declaration recognized the “devastating impacts of major infectious diseases and epidemics,” especially of the current COVID-19 pandemic, on people’s lives and the long-term damage to social and economic development. The UN General Assembly also noted how the present pandemic had overwhelmed the medical faculty and health systems globally, disrupted supply chains and disproportionately affected the livelihoods of people in poorer countries. The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness serves the purpose of creating awareness about epidemics. This day encourages every individual, every institution, and every government to prepare its citizens in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, in order to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for, and partnership against epidemics. History of International Day of Epidemic Preparedness Due to the pandemic, the holes in the healthcare systems of several countries were revealed as hospitals ran out of beds and ventilators. In fact, there was a point when hand sanitizers and surgical masks were also out of stock. However, after months of studying the pandemic, several health experts believe that COVID-19 could have been contained if the world was prepared. Keeping this in mind, the first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was held on December 27, 2020. The day was called for by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for, and partnership against epidemics. This was deemed necessary since COVID-19 highlighted the importance of investing in systems to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. The United Nations The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has had devastating impacts not only with regards to human lives, but also concerning social and economic development. Global health crises threaten to overwhelm already overstretched health systems, disrupt global supply chains and cause disproportionate devastation of the livelihoods of people, including women and children, and the economies of the poorest and most vulnerable countries. The United Nations (UN) adds that there is an urgent need to have resilient and robust health systems, reaching those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations. In the event of the absence of international attention, future epidemics could surpass previous outbreaks in terms of intensity and gravity. There is great need of raising awareness, the exchange of information, scientific knowledge and best practices, quality education, and advocacy programmes on epidemics at the local, national, regional and global levels as effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics. It is important to strengthen epidemic prevention by applying lessons learned on epidemic management and how to prevent the stoppage of basic services, and to raise the level of preparedness in order to have the earliest and most adequate response to any epidemic that may arise. The UN further states that international cooperation such as with the World Health Organization (WHO) and multilateralism play an important role in the response to epidemics. We need to stress the significance of partnership and solidarity among every individual, community and State, and regional and international organizations, in all stages of epidemic management, as well as the importance of considering a gender perspective in this regard. Emerging Measures The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that people flying from China will need a negative COVID-19 test within two days of their departure in order to enter the United States of America. As we observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness let us be mindful that COVID19 is still a clear and present danger. The day should be used to highlight the importance and urgency in preventing the spread of epidemics; as well as to reinforce the resolve of the international community to prepare for future epidemics. Let us remain vigilant. In remaining vigilant let us educate ourselves with factual information; especially at a time such as this when multiple sources of misinformation are thriving. Let us also salute our front line health workers as they are the first line of defense against epidemics. It is only when we stand together that we will emerge triumphant against epidemics. In the words of Dr. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, history tells us that this will not be the last pandemic and epidemics are a fact of life. But with investments in public health supported by an all governments, all of society One Health approach we can ensure that our children and their children a safer more resilient and more sustainable world. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo I.G. 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