Pandemics and Warfare: Intersecting Histories of Crises and Consequences
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Updated: Nov 8, 2026

Development of Multiplex Real-Time RT-qPCR Assays for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and MERS-CoV
Published on: November 10, 2023
Apoorva Wasnik1, Mithilesh Kumar2, Vidya Sagar3
1Junior Resident Academics, Department of Community Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Background:
Pandemics and war have intersecting histories since time immemorial. In human history, disease outbreaks have occurred, and their effects have compounded during various wars.
Objectives:
This review highlights the historical evidence on war-induced socio-economic and institutional transformations and the acceleration of pathogen emergence and its transmission during war-epidemic crises.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted in Pubmed data base and Google Scholar to select relevant articles for this review.
Results:
The intertwining of pandemics and warfare's complex phases changed the lives and the course of global processes. In addition to the imperial plagues, modern pandemics such as coronavirus showed the effects of armed conflicts even more; for example, World War I and II, where diseases such as the Spanish flu spread very rapidly. These wars spur healthcare innovation and make us aware of the necessity of a comprehensive healthcare system being in place. The consequences arise from both economic and social factors, associated with unheard-of health problems such as noncommunicable diseases and mental conditions.
Conclusion:
The study from this case points out that for future pandemics, resilient healthcare systems, global cooperation, and early detection will be highly important in this process. This emphasizes the need for preparedness and fairness in health care.
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