A number of experts have warned about potentially deadly pandemics to come if the world does not understand the relationship between humans, animals, and the environment in order to plan for future pandemic responses. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of studies conducted by scientists around the world regarding virus transmission. Professor Cassandra Perry, a viral immunology researcher at Murdoch University in Australia, revealed that there are viruses lurking in the wings of many birds, including bats, which are believed to be the source of COVID-19 transmission to humans.
She added that the next pandemic could likely be an airborne virus that spreads quickly and that already exists, indicating it is highly mutable and has an animal reservoir. She emphasized that it would be extremely dangerous if it lacks visible symptoms and spreads stealthily, as reported by the British newspaper "The Guardian." She pointed out that there are a few mutations ready to transmit from birds to humans, highlighting the necessity for researchers to prepare for this possibility.
In contrast, virologist Stuart Turville from the Kirby Institute mentioned that predicting the timing of the next pandemic is difficult, but virologists and infectious disease experts agree that more pandemics are inevitable. He noted that about three-quarters of new viral diseases emerging over the past two decades have been of animal origin, mostly coming from bats, rodents, or birds.
Experts Warned About COVID-19 for Years
Meanwhile, a research paper published by Elsevier, a publishing house specializing in medical and scientific books and journals, titled "Preparing for Zoonotic Viruses," revealed that experts had warned about the COVID-19 pandemic for years, often referring to it in literature as "Disease X." The paper explained that the scenario of Disease X warned about by many scientists has become a reality; however, prior investments in surveillance, diagnostics, and new laboratory technologies, along with open data sharing and vaccine platforms, successfully controlled COVID-19 at an unprecedented speed.
Additionally, Professor Dominic Dwyer, a virologist and a member of the World Health Organization team investigating the pandemic, clarified that advances in science and technology, coupled with the faster sharing of data by governments, will improve the management of any future pandemics. He added, "I believe that next time we will be in a better position to develop tests and genomic science more quickly, thus managing the pandemic better and faster."
