CO VER STORE
Prevention of Infectious and Chronic Diseases An indispensable investment Evolving ecology, changing human behaviour, and shifting disease pattern, have created a growing burden of emerging and re-emerging infectious and chronic diseases. The world’s most vulnerable populations continue fighting with this double whammy of diseases. It is important to understand disease epidemiology and act urgently for strengthening prevention and control measures. Md Moshiur Rahman, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Md Adnan Hasan Masud, Consultant, Haematology Department, Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Sajeda Chowdhury, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University
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he world has developed an expanded global health system for the protection of known and unknown infectious disease threats and to promote human health. However, the system continues to be challenged by emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These threats vary in terms of severity and probability with the consequences for morbidity and mortality. Recent outbreaks of a novel coronavirus (COVID19), Ebola, Zika, Dengue, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and influenza have been raised concerns about whether the current global health system is ready to provide effective protection against the global threats. Several factors complicate the disease management as rapid population growth with weak health systems, urbanisation, globalisation, civil conflict, climate change, and the changing nature of pathogen transmission between human and animal populations. There is also the risk of human-originated outbreaks deriving from laboratory accidents or intentional biological attacks. The world currently lacks the integrated system for managing and responding in an efficient and coordinated manner. This article explains the global
health challenges and rationale for the investment in preventing infectious and chronic diseases. In December 2019, a group of patients with pneumonia were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Epidemiological evidence suggested as the virus obtained from these patients was highly similar to that identified in bats. We live in a world that is globally connected, in terms of the movement of people, goods, and food. As a consequence, the COVID-19 started spreading all over the world. The outbreak was confirmed as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020. The situation analysis was released and considered scenarios for potential disruptions around the world. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 can be characterised as a global pandemic. In various regions around the world, the COVID-19 causes the fear and panic that resulted in social distancing, closing of schools, enterprises, commercial establishments, transportation, and public facilities, which disrupt economic and other social activities. As of 27 April 2020, a confirmed 2,883,603 people have been infected with COVID-19 globally across www.asianhhm.com
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