As the current COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the globe, many are left wondering when the next pandemic will occur. The reality is that pandemics are not a new phenomenon, and throughout history, we have seen numerous instances of infectious diseases causing widespread devastation.
While we cannot predict with certainty when the next pandemic will occur, there are certain circumstances under which they are more likely to occur.
One such circumstance is when there is an increase in international travel and trade, especially to and from developing countries. With the ease of travel and globalization, individuals can now travel to nearly any corner of the world within a matter of hours. If travelers are not properly screened, they can unknowingly bring infectious diseases with them to other parts of the world.
Another circumstance is the sustained close contact between animals and humans, which increases the likelihood of zoonotic diseases jumping from animals to humans. This is how the COVID-19 pandemic began, and we saw just how easy it was for the virus to spread from animals to humans and then from human to human.
Scientists and health care professionals around the world are monitoring closely for the next potential pandemic, and they have identified certain regions and diseases that may pose a higher risk. One such region is Southeast Asia, where animal-human interactions are commonplace, and there are a large number of wet markets.
Southeast Asia is home to many wet markets where live animals are kept in close proximity to humans. These markets present a perfect environment for the transmission of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans. The close proximity of animals, including birds, bats, and rodents, creates a risk for viruses to jump from animals to humans.
Wet markets are very common in many Southeast Asian countries, and many people rely on them for their daily food supply. These markets can offer a rich breeding ground for viruses to grow and mutate as they are moved from farms to wholesale markets to retail markets, increasing the potential for a disease to spread more widely.
Another factor that puts Southeast Asia at risk is the increase in international travel and trade. With tourism being an important sector of many Southeast Asian economies, large numbers of people visit the region every year. Infected tourists could unknowingly spread the virus across multiple countries in a very short period of time.
However, there is hope that governments and organizations are starting to take notice and are taking steps to prevent future pandemics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Southeast Asian countries to step up their efforts in surveillance, preparedness, and response to future pandemics. They have also called for a ban on the sale of live wild animals for food in markets, a move that China has already made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some Southeast Asian countries have also started to take their own measures to prevent future pandemics. Vietnam banned the import of wildlife and closed all wildlife markets. Singapore introduced a chemical fogging system to disinfect public spaces, while Thailand has ramped up its disease surveillance systems.
While these measures are important, there is still much more to be done. With the potential for a pandemic to emerge at any time, it is important for governments and communities to work together to minimize the risk of future outbreaks. This includes educating the public on safe food practices, investing in public health infrastructure, and developing effective vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a humbling and sobering reminder that we are all susceptible to infectious diseases, but it also serves as a call to action to do better and to be better prepared for when the next pandemic strikes. By coming together and working towards a common goal, we can better protect ourselves, our communities, and the world as a whole.
Ton La, Jr. is a physician and can be reached on LinkedIn.
