Marburg virus, Mpox, and Avian Flu outbreaks reveal cracks in pandemic preparedness

Thunder Bay, ON – A new report from the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) warns that the world remains highly vulnerable to pandemics, as multiple disease outbreaks continue to strain global health systems in 2024. The report, launched at the 15th World Health Summit in Berlin, highlights 17 disease outbreaks this year, including cases of Marburg virus, Mpox, and a new strain of avian influenza (H5N1).

With these threats, the GPMB has identified 15 key drivers of pandemic risk, urging for a comprehensive overhaul of how nations prepare for and respond to health emergencies. “The next pandemic won’t wait for us to perfect our systems,” said GPMB Co-Chair Joy Phumaphi. She stressed the importance of building resilient and equitable healthcare systems that can withstand future challenges.

Key Threats to Global Health

According to the report, the risks of future pandemics extend beyond health systems alone. The drivers of pandemic risk are divided into five categories: social, technological, environmental, economic, and political. Some of the most pressing concerns include:

• Trust and Inequity: A lack of trust between nations, as well as social and economic inequalities, significantly undermine global efforts to control outbreaks.
• Human-Animal Interaction: Intensive farming and the increasing likelihood of zoonotic diseases crossing from animals to humans raise the chances of new pandemics.
• Digital Vulnerabilities: While technology helps in disease tracking and response, it also exposes health systems to cyber-attacks and disinformation, complicating efforts to manage crises.

Local Implications for Thunder Bay and Beyond

Though the risks highlighted are global, communities in Northwestern Ontario are not immune. The threat of zoonotic diseases, for example, could have significant impacts on the region’s agriculture and wildlife. Furthermore, maintaining robust public health systems in rural and remote areas will be crucial to protecting vulnerable populations if a future pandemic were to occur.

A key lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic is the need for better local health infrastructure and community-level preparedness. The report calls on nations to strengthen health systems, ensure that essential services are accessible to everyone, and proactively address the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Collaboration and Adaptation: The Path Forward

The GPMB emphasizes that preventing future pandemics will require global collaboration across sectors. Former President of Croatia and GPMB Co-Chair Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović stressed the importance of vigilance, adaptability, and collaboration to ensure pandemic preparedness is integrated into global response systems.

The GPMB’s report serves as a blueprint for policymakers, calling for proactive investments in research, health infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration to mitigate pandemic risks. “Resilience in future health emergencies is contingent on collective responsibility,” the report states.

Mpox Outbreaks in Africa

As of October 2024, Mpox continues to affect African nations, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo reporting the highest number of cases. Zambia has also reported its first Mpox case, with investigations ongoing. The spread of Mpox highlights the continued vulnerability to zoonotic diseases, reinforcing the report’s call for global preparedness and response coordination.

For more information, the full GPMB report is available on their website, providing insights and recommendations for reducing pandemic risks in today’s interconnected world.