The four viruses that experts in Australia fear could cause the next pandemic
CSIRO urges Australia to boost its virus research to protect the nation. Organization offers 20 suggestions to strengthen pandemic readiness.
Among them were enhancements to study into four virus families
They believe that these families are the most likely to become pandemics in the future.
In an effort to protect Australia from pandemics in the future, Australia’s premier scientific organization has urged for an increase in funding for virus research and vaccine production.
In a new report, the health ministry offered twenty recommendations for strengthening Australia’s pandemic preparation in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Five virus families that have the highest potential to cause future pandemics were the subject of one of the proposals to improve research.
In order to protect Australia from future pandemics, Australia’s premier scientific organization has advocated for an increase in virus research and vaccine production.
In order to be better prepared, scientists also noted the need to diversify the types of vaccinations produced in Australia.
The research stated, “The paucity of manufacturing skills across multiple vaccine technologies restricts Australia’s ability to develop vaccines domestically in response to an emerging viral threat.”
Australian businesses are hindered by high input prices and a limited population for clinical trial enrollments, among other obstacles.
The CSIRO report also recommended for an expansion of screening for antiviral drugs that are commercially available and might be utilized as therapies, as well as the construction of a central database of pharmaceuticals.
The report’s recommendations are the result of talks with more than 140 business, research, and government experts.
The report’s findings also revealed anomalies in diagnostic requirements, which needed to be varied due to the increasing demands placed on laboratories during pandemics.
A lack of national coordination for genomic analysis was also noted, leading to proposals for the establishment of a national authority and the development of national data standards.
Viruses of greatest concern to cause future pandemics
Orthomyxoviridae – Influenza (transmitted by animals and humans)
Highly infectious, as transmission via aerosols and droplets is possible between individuals.
Viruses in this particular family are predisposed to rapidly and efficiently develop new strains through mutation.
Historically, this virus family has caused epidemics and pandemics in humans.
Infection with the Nipah virus and the Hendra virus are examples of Paramyxoviridae (transmitted by animals and humans)
Viruses of the respiratory tract that are mostly spread through aerosols and contaminated surfaces. Humans have historically high rates of sickness and mortality. In the north-eastern regions of Australia, there is currently a risk of infection from horses carrying the Hendra virus. New Hendra virus variants have been detected in animals with a wider geographic range.
Rift Valley fever is caused by the Phenuiviridae virus family (transmitted by arthropods and human contact via blood and organs)
Extremely dangerous to humans, animals, and plants. Given the diversity of arthropod vectors, it can be difficult to limit transmission.
Togaviridae/Alphaviruses – Chikungunya fever, Ross River fever, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis (transmitted by arthropods, particularly blood-sucking species)
Seasonal infections are acquired in endemic regions. Ross River fever is the most prevalent virus transmitted by insects in Australia.
In a recent research, the CSIRO presented 20 recommendations for strengthening Australia’s pandemic readiness.
LATEST COVID-19 24-HOUR DATA:
Victoria: 2950 cases, 18 fatalities, 337 hospitalized with 22 ICU patients
NSW: 4271 cases, 37 fatalities, 1834 hospitalized with 40 ICU patients
2404 cases, 18 fatalities, 319 hospitalized, 10 in ICU: Queensland
WA: 1277 cases, 1 fatality, 234 hospitalized with 5 ICU patients
SA: 685 cases, three fatalities, 129 hospitalized with seven ICU patients
Tasmania: 259 cases, no fatalities, 30 hospitalized, one in intensive care
202 cases, no fatalities, 100 hospitalized, one in intensive care
NT: 116 instances, no fatalities, 21 hospitalizations with no ICU patients.
According to the paper, Australia confronts data sharing restrictions due to the diverse administration of health systems within and across provinces.
This hinders the ability to make timely and well-informed policy decisions, particularly during pandemics.
Given the surge in viral illness epidemics over the previous century, the CSIRO deemed the report’s results crucial.
The paper stated, “On average, two new viruses emerge in people each year, and the proportion that causes larger outbreaks is increasing.”
‘Environmental damage, climate change, urbanization, human encroachment on natural ecosystems, and greater worldwide trade and travel have mostly been responsible for the rising incidence of virus spill-over from animal populations during the past century,’
The report was released when the overall number of COVID cases in Australia topped 10 million.
Nationally, an additional 8704 cases were identified on Monday, including 11 deaths.
Wednesday, the national cabinet will examine a proposal to reduce the mandated isolation period for COVID-19 patients from seven to five days.
Tuesday, the Health Services Union urged the federal government to eliminate the mandated isolation period.