The world is on the brink of another global pandemic, and the signs are everywhere. From the alarming diphtheria outbreak in Australia to the rapid spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the threat of a new pandemic is looming large. According to Professor Adrian Esterman, the chances of a global pandemic are "very high," and it's "almost certain" that we will face another one in our lifetime. What's more concerning is the potential severity of this next pandemic, which could be far more devastating than COVID-19. The H5N1 avian flu virus, in particular, is a cause for alarm. This strain has already killed millions of birds and infected other animals worldwide, and it's now spreading from animals to humans. While no human-to-human transmission has been reported yet, the high mortality rate among humans is a cause for concern. Australia and Oceania are the only regions in the world that remain free of the H5N1 strain, but this could change at any moment. The good news is that there is a vaccine against the H5N1 virus, and it's made by an Australian manufacturer. However, the country's preparedness for a future pandemic is a cause for concern. When COVID-19 hit, Australia was caught off guard, with infected Aussies quarantined in hotels that weren't fit for purpose, lacklustre communication from state governments, and inconsistent lockdown rules and restrictions. But things have changed since then. Australia now has its own Centre for Disease Control, purpose-built quarantine stations, a Moderna factory that can produce vaccines, and stockpiled drugs and equipment. We also have some experience managing a pandemic. However, the country may run into issues if the next pandemic doesn't hit for 15 years or more. If this happens, we may have forgotten what we learned during COVID-19, and our future experts and leaders may not be ready to deal with the next pandemic. It's crucial for COVID-19 learnings to be included in university curricula so that future experts and leaders are exposed to them. Australia also needs to continue developing and updating pandemic preparedness plans at national, state, and territory levels, and work on social determinants of health, such as access to health services and trust in health authorities. While the risk of another major pandemic in the near future is high, the general public shouldn't lose sleep over it. Instead, they should take steps to protect themselves and others from localised outbreaks of diseases like diphtheria, measles, and syphilis. The decline in vaccine coverage and the resurgence of diseases like endemic measles are causes for concern. Declining trust in public health and misinformation spread online have not helped the situation. It's essential for all Aussies to trust the Australian public health advice and act based on that. As the CDC spokesperson said, "The question is not whether they will occur, but how well-prepared we are when they do. Strong public health systems, informed communities, and high vaccination coverage remain among our best protections against future health threats." In conclusion, the threat of another global pandemic is real, and we must be prepared. By learning from the past, updating our preparedness plans, and ensuring that our future experts and leaders are ready to deal with the next pandemic, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the devastating impact of a new pandemic.
