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. 2023 Jun 15:92:103724.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103724. Epub 2023 Apr 29.

Need for effective detection and early warnings for epidemic and pandemic preparedness planning in the context of multi-hazards: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Thushara Kamalrathne  1 , Dilanthi Amaratunga  1 , Richard Haigh  1 , Lahiru Kodituwakku  2
Affiliations

Need for effective detection and early warnings for epidemic and pandemic preparedness planning in the context of multi-hazards: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Thushara Kamalrathne et al. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. .

Abstract

The need for effective early detection and timely surveillance for a robust pandemic and epidemic early warning and preparedness has been widely discussed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which suddenly erupted worldwide. This need is further established by various other hazards reported in many countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the failure of early detection of pathogens and their source of origin has been largely connected with global transmission and severe outbreaks in many contexts. Therefore, effective early detection , timely surveillance and early warning are key aspects of a successful response to an epidemic or pandemic. . Hence, this paper aims to identify key elements and stages of an effective epidemic and pandemic early warning (EW) and response system. Further, the paper analyses inter-connections of the elements of the early warning system, focusing on the COVID-19 and multi-hazard context. The systematic literature review method was used to collect data from electronic databases. Results suggest that epidemiological surveillance & detection, primary screening of raw data & information, risk and vulnerability assessments, prediction and decision-making, alerts & early warnings are critical components of epidemic and pandemic EW. In addition, response-control & mitigation, preparedness-preventive strategies, and reducing transmission , elimination and eradication of the disease are integrated components of the early warning and response ecosystem that largely depend on effective early warnings. The significance of integrating epidemic and pandemic EW with other EWs to operate as multi-hazard early warning systems is also analysed.

Keywords: Biological-hazards; COVID-19; Early warnings; Epidemics; Multi-hazard; Pandemics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The project: “Improving COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness and response through the downstream of multi-hazard early warning systems” based on which this paper is written, is funded by the UK Research and Innovation through the UK Government's Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the Newton Fund [grant number EP/V026038/1]. UK Research and Innovation accept no liability, financial or otherwise, for expenditure or liability arising from the research funded by the grant, except as set out in the Terms and Conditions or otherwise agreed in writing.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Floor diagram for the literature mining process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Phases of Epidemic and response interventions.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
An extensive framework proposed for the pandemic and epidemic EW and response based on the elements identified through the literature review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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