A recent UN report indicates that emerging zoonotic diseases may lead to new pandemics by 2030 due to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Outbreaks of diseases like mpox and dengue are rising globally, while antimicrobial resistance exacerbates health risks. Urgent global cooperation is required to address these threats and enhance pandemic preparedness.
The UN Environmental Programme has issued an alarming report predicting that the next pandemic may emerge by 2030. The report highlights an urgent threat as the highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, is reportedly only one mutation away from allowing human-to-human transmission. The year 2024 has witnessed a resurgence of various zoonotic diseases, including cholera, mpox, marburg, and oropouche fever. Analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that 16 different viral and bacterial outbreaks were recorded globally during this year.
The concern over emerging pathogens and zoonotic diseases has been increasingly prominent, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance and the scars left by the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN’s June 2024 report emphasizes that environmental factors such as deforestation and climate change significantly influence the frequency and severity of these outbreaks. As populations grow and habitats change, humans are more frequently encountering previously isolated pathogens, raising fears of new global health crises.
In summary, the rise of emerging diseases, coupled with the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, necessitates immediate global action and collaboration. The report by the UN reinforces the need for comprehensive strategies to prepare for the potential pandemics of the future and emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental changes that facilitate the spillover of pathogens. Policymakers must prioritize tackling these issues to safeguard global health.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
