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Editorial
. 2015 Sep:38:89-94.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.07.016. Epub 2015 Aug 4.

Planning for the Next Global Pandemic

Affiliations
Editorial

Planning for the Next Global Pandemic

Allen G P Ross et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

In order to mitigate human and financial losses as a result of future global pandemics, we must plan now. As the Ebola virus pandemic declines, we must reflect on how we have mismanaged this recent international crisis and how we can better prepare for the next global pandemic. Of great concern is the increasing frequency of pandemics occurring over the last few decades. Clearly, the window of opportunity to act is closing. This editorial discusses many issues including priority emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; the challenges of meeting international health regulations; the strengthening of global health systems; global pandemic funding; and the One Health approach to future pandemic planning. We recommend that the global health community unites to urgently address these issues in order to avoid the next humanitarian crisis.

Keywords: Pandemic; emerging infectious diseases; epidemics; health systems; planning.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The breeding grounds for the next global pandemic: left panel illustrates slums in Metro-Manila, The Philippines; the middle panel shows slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and the right panel displays slums in Kibera, Kenya. Note photographs are available on public domain.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The map shows the location of recent emerging infectious diseases caused primarily by zoonotic diseases transmitted to humans via insect vectors, or animals. Note the ‘one-health’ map is available on public domain.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A proposed global health security hierarchy: the UN Center for Disease Control (UN CDC) will serve as the command headquarters for global health security and pandemic response. The regional CDCs in South America (SA CDC), Stockholm, Europe (European CDC), Ethiopia, Africa (A CDC), Southeast Asia (SEA CDC), East Asia (EA CDC), and Oceania (O CDC) will report directly to the UN CDC along with the USA CDC and the BC CDC in Canada. National CDC departments will report to their regional CDCs, and Provincial, District, and Municipal CDC departments will report to the National CDC. All health centers at the local village level will report to their municipal/district offices.

References

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