Photo credit: Canva
WHO Warns of Impending Catastrophe: The Looming Threat of a Deadlier Pandemic
MAY 23, 2023  (4:17 PM)
BY ARMIN

WHO Warns of Impending Catastrophe: The Looming Threat of a Deadlier Pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the possibility of a future pandemic that could be even deadlier than the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

In a recent meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, shared his apprehensions about the current state of the pandemic, emphasizing that despite the progress made, we are still far from declaring an end to the global health emergency.

Dr. Tedros highlighted the imminent threat posed by further variants, as well as other pathogens, which could potentially cause more severe outbreaks with deadlier consequences. He stated,

"The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains."



Furthermore, the WHO has recently declared the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer classified as a health emergency. However, Dr. Tedros emphasized the necessity of global preparedness for future pandemics, saying,

"When the next pandemic comes knocking — and it will — we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably."


Addressing the member states of the WHO, Dr. Tedros warned against allowing history to repeat itself.

"We cannot kick this can down the road," he said. "If we do not make the changes that must be made, then who will? And if we do not make them now, then when?"


Dr. Tedros applauded the recent steps taken by the WHO's member states to reinforce global health security, which include the drafting of a pandemic treaty and the approval of a budget increase.

These actions come in the wake of the organization's commitment to implementing crucial budget and finance reforms, as reported by Reuters. Additionally, Dr. Tedros called for renewed talks on updating the International Health Regulations, a treaty designed to outline countries' preparedness for and responses to health emergencies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed nearly 7 million lives worldwide, with the United States alone suffering about 1.13 million fatalities. More than 80,000 of these deaths have occurred in New York.

In light of the current situation, the WHO has pinpointed specific infectious diseases that hold "priority" status due to their potential to instigate future pandemics. These diseases can spread rapidly across geographical regions and pose significant challenges as they elude existing methods of containment and control.

Source: Insider Paper
RELATED ARTICLES
TRENDING ARTICLES
TRENDING NEWS