The world is on the brink of another global pandemic, and the signs are all around us. 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 global health crisis is looming. According to Professor Adrian Esterman, the chances of a pandemic as severe as COVID-19 breaking out in our lifetime are "very high." And while we may not know exactly what virus will cause the next pandemic, the potential consequences are dire. The H5N1 avian flu, for example, has already killed millions of birds and infected other animals, and it's only a matter of time before it spreads to humans. The good news is that we have a vaccine against it, but we need to be prepared. Australia has made significant strides in preparing for a future pandemic. We have our 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, which is crucial. However, we still have a long way to go. The Australian National University's Dr. Davoud Pourmarzi warns that if the next pandemic doesn't hit for 15 years or more, we may have forgotten what we learned during COVID-19. It's essential 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, like access to health services and trust in health authorities. The general public shouldn't lose sleep over the risk of another major pandemic, but they should take steps to protect themselves and others from localized outbreaks of diseases like diphtheria, measles, and syphilis. The decline in vaccine coverage and the resurgence of diseases like endemic measles are cause for concern. Declining trust in public health and misinformation spread online haven't helped the situation. It's crucial for all Aussies to trust the Australian public health advice and act based on that. As the CDC spokesperson reminds us, the question is not whether infectious disease outbreaks and health emergencies 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. It's time to take action and ensure that we are ready for whatever comes our way.
