case study: pandemics Flashcards
what is an epidemic?
an unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific geographical area
e.g. ebola
what is a pandemic?
an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people
the worldwide spread of a new disease
e.g. HIV/AIDS, H1N1 influenza 2009-2010, SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
what is an endemic?
a disease outbreak that is consistently present but limited to a particular region
e.g. malaria in southern africa
disease is relatively stable and predictable
disease is manageable
disease rates are reduced to an ‘acceptable’ level
what are the international health regulations?
an international legal instrument that is binding on 196 countries across the globe, including all the Member States of WHO. their aim is to help the international community prevent and respond to acute public health risks that have the potential to cross borders and threaten people worldwide
notification to the WHO is required under the IHR for all “events that may
constitute a public health emergency of international concern”
what is a public health emergency of international concern? (PHEIC)
a declaration made by the Director-General of the World Health Organization, on advice from the IHR Emergency Committee, regarding “an extraordinary event which is determined, as provided in these Regulations:
i. to constitute a public health risk to other States through the
international spread of disease
ii. to potentially require a coordinated international response
what were the world’s deadliest pandemics?
Black death (bubonic plague); 1346–1353; 75-200 million deaths
‘Spanish’ flu (H1N1 influenza); 1918-1929; 17-100 million deaths
Plague of Justinian (bubonic plague); 541–549; 15-100 million deaths
HIV/AIDS; 1981-present; ~40 million deaths
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19; 2019-present; 7-34 million deaths
what would happen in the event of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)?
if it has been determined in accordance with Article 12 that a public health emergency of international concern is occurring, the Director- General shall issue temporary recommendations in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 49. the WHO only makes recommendations on policies
temporary recommendations may include health measures to be implemented by the State Party experiencing the public health emergency of international concern, or by other States Parties, regarding persons, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and/or postal parcels to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic.
what is the ACT Accelerator and COVAX?
the ACT Accelerator is a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines
COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. its aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world
why did COVAX fail?
didn’t function as it should. doses weren’t distributed fairly because COVAX didn’t not have the same buying power as US and Europe
