Pandemic-Risk Pathogens

Abstract

Parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses cause significant impact on the community health. Of these the simplest are the viruses that can be highly transmissible, and even can be generated from synthetic DNA. Viruses can trigger outbreaks. The 1918 influenza pandemic killed 17 million people [1]. Small pox and measles have also been major killers. Prior to effective eradication program, small pox caused more than 2 million fatalities a year [2]. Before the initiation of widespread vaccination, measles was also a big killer. Advances in virology has led to the development of vaccines and therapeutic agents that have enabled a drastic reduction in disease burdens caused by influenza, COVID-19, poliomyelitis, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS etc. Recently development of COVID-19 vaccines within a period of one year is a remarkable example. The rapid development and deployment of these vaccines prevented 14-20 million deaths worldwide [3].