Controlling epidemic of human respiratory viral infections

Grant Waterer, Sheree Smith

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

    Abstract

    In the past decade, we have had two significant viral epidemics, first, severe acuter respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002/2003 and then the H1N1 09 influenza A pandemic in 2009/2010. Several other viruses have threatened, but so far, not evolved into pandemics, including strains of H5, H7, and H9 avian influence, and more recently, a novel coronavirus is thought to have originated in the Middle East. Thankfully, neither of the recent viral epidemics came remotely close to the severity of the 1918 influenza pandemic. However, both viruses did present a major challenge to public health authorities and clinicians managing patients with epidemic respiratory infections, from which we have learnt some significant lessons about the strengths and weaknesses of international, national, and local responses to emerging epidemics. It should also be remembered that even though H1N1 09 was considered a mild infection no worse than usual seasonal influenza, it is still estimated to have caused between 200,000 and 300,000 deaths worldwide. Given the constant stream of candidates identified, increasing global population, and increasing proximity of animals and humans favouring interspecies transmission, further epidemics are not only inevitable, but are likely to occur with increasing regularity. In this chapter, we will focus on what was learnt from the SARS and H1N1 09 experiences regarding what we should and should not do, in our attempts to control the next new epidemic virus that emerges.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHuman Respiratory Viral Infections
    EditorsSunit K. Singh
    Place of PublicationU.S.
    PublisherCRC Press
    Pages219-229
    Number of pages11
    ISBN (Print)9781466583207
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Keywords

    • epidemics
    • respiratory infections
    • virus diseases

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