The UN Environmental Programme alert regarding an impending pandemic risk emphasizes the threat from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, just one mutation away from human transmission. 2024 has seen various zoonotic outbreaks, and antimicrobial resistance threatens to exacerbate global health crises. With environmental changes driving these emerging diseases, urgent global cooperation is needed to mitigate future pandemic risks.
The United Nations Environmental Programme’s report, released in July 2024, warns that the next pandemic could emerge by 2030, particularly due to the risk posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, which is reportedly one mutation away from being transmissible between humans. The year 2024 has already seen significant outbreaks of various zoonotic diseases such as cholera, mpox, Marburg, and oropouche fever, underscoring a worrying trend as at least 16 viral and bacterial outbreaks were reported globally this year. Furthermore, the crisis of antimicrobial resistance continues to escalate, posing an additional threat as the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic are still felt globally.
Despite ongoing negotiations by the WHO regarding an International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response since 2021, substantial collaboration and preparedness gaps persist. The UN Environment Programme’s 2024 report highlights that deforestation, urbanisation, habitat destruction, and unsustainable agricultural practices are primary drivers of emerging zoonotic diseases, with climate change exacerbating these issues. Projections indicate a potential 12-fold increase in fatalities due to these factors by 2050, compared to 2020 levels.
In Africa, the Clade 1b variant of mpox has rapidly propagated since its detection in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September 2023, resulting in approximately 50,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths. This variant has spread to surrounding nations and is being monitored by the WHO, which declared a public health emergency in August 2024. The situation in Latin America remains bleak, as extensive outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, and oropouche fever are being reported across new territories, with Brazil experiencing a record of over 6 million suspected dengue cases in 2024. The invasive Aedes albopictus mosquito has now established populations in 13 countries within the European Union, further complicating public health efforts.
In North America, the transmission of highly pathogenic H5N1 from poultry to dairy cows has raised alarms, affecting 16 states and resulting in multiple human infections by year’s end. Additionally, the UN has approved a political declaration aimed at combating the estimated 4.95 million annual deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a commitment to reduce AMR-related fatalities by 10 percent each year by 2030.
Overall, these developments underscore the necessity for a holistic approach to health security that encompasses pandemic preparedness, sustainable environmental practices, and improved global cooperation to mitigate future risks.
The report issued by the United Nations Environmental Programme serves as a crucial alert regarding the increasing likelihood of future pandemics due to emerging zoonotic diseases. These diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, highlight the interconnectedness of environmental health, wildlife management, and public health systems. Factors such as climate change and human-induced ecological changes contribute significantly to the proliferation of these pathogens, raising global health concerns amidst already strained healthcare systems following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, the report from the UN Environmental Programme emphasizes the urgent need for global vigilance against emerging infectious diseases. With the threat of zoonotic diseases, particularly H5N1, and escalating antimicrobial resistance, international cooperation and a commitment to sustainable practices are essential. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to preventing future pandemics and protecting global health.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
