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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

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Pandemics Throughout History.

Jocelyne Piret¹, Guy Boivin¹

¹CHU de Québec - Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada.

Frontiers in Microbiology

|February 15, 2021

Summary

Pandemics caused by zoonotic pathogens have historically impacted humanity. Public health measures like quarantine and border control remain crucial for controlling infectious disease spread, alongside developing new diagnostic and vaccine technologies.

Keywords:

infectious diseases pandemic pharmaceutical interventions public health measures water-borne pathogens zoonotic pathogens

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Area of Science:

Epidemiology
Public Health
Infectious Diseases

Background:

Infectious diseases with pandemic potential have historically impacted human societies.
Major pandemics, including plague, cholera, flu, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and the current COVID-19, highlight recurring global health threats.
Zoonotic pathogens, transmitted through human-animal contact in breeding, hunting, and trade, are frequent causes of pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

To review historical and current strategies for infectious disease containment.
To emphasize the importance of understanding pathogen transmission mechanisms.
To highlight the need for advanced technologies in pandemic preparedness and response.

Main Methods:

Historical analysis of pandemics and public health interventions.
Review of zoonotic pathogen transmission routes.
Discussion of current and future technological needs for pandemic control.

Main Results:

Public health measures like isolation, quarantine, and border control have been historically effective and remain vital for managing pandemics, even in the absence of pharmaceutical interventions.
Understanding pathogen transmission is key to developing effective prevention and control strategies.
Global surveillance of water-borne, vector-borne, and zoonotic diseases is essential for early detection of emerging threats.

Conclusions:

Non-pharmaceutical interventions remain critical tools for controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
Continuous global surveillance and investment in novel technologies for diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines are imperative for future pandemic preparedness.