Fourteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

COVID-19 resulted in the death of almost seven million people. A pandemic of the same, or greater, magnitude is not statistically expected for some time. Yet, it is a fact that the next pandemic can occur at any time. Thus, we must be ever vigilant and in a state of constant preparation. The benefits of such preparation will be greatly enhanced if the most likely type and magnitude of the next pandemic can be anticipated. There may be signs pointing to this source. In pandemic preparation, the worst-case scenario employed by many planners is based on the 1918 Spanish influenza. The highest mortality estimates indicate that the pandemic resulted in the death of between 50 and 100 million people. While the 1918 pandemic was the most intense we have experienced, it is certainly not the most intense that we can experience. “Disease X” is a placeholder which represents a hypothetical pathogen that the World Health Organization lists as a priority disease on its R&D Blueprint which is a global strategy and preparedness plan. The speaker proposes avian influenza as Disease X. The virus is known but is not currently transmissible between humans. If this becomes possible (and nature is working to make this a reality) the estimated death toll can be expected to exceed a world-changing 1.3 billion. The speaker while proposing avian influenza as Disease X also recommends the preparations necessary for global society to have a hope of surviving it.