The world was not ready for the next pandemic.
About 50 million people died globally in 1918 due to the great Influenza pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu. A hundred years later, the Influenza Division of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA, met to discuss global readiness to fight the next pandemic.¹
Policemen in Seattle, Washington, wearing masks made by the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross, during the influenza epidemic.
Credit: National Archives Catalogue.
Patients crowd an emergency hospital near Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1918.
Credit: Associated Press.
Influenza viruses change constantly. This requires ongoing surveillance, investigations, and frequent vaccine changes. It was anticipated by the CDC that a similar situation would still have catastrophic results today, since the world is more crowded, and the habitats of humans and animals are increasingly converging. The number of reported novel Influenza A infections is raising since 2011¹ and CDC estimates that three out of every four new infectious diseases in people come from animals.²
Gaps in the pandemic readiness were identified, being the need for better antivirals, need for reusable respiratory protective devices and ventilator access some of them. The potential consequences of a new pandemic described on CDC’s report were:
- Tens of millions of deaths, and infection of the 20-30% of global population.
- Disruption of transportation and supply chains (food, energy, medical supplies).
- Disruption and saturation of healthcare system.
- High economic costs (in the USA has been estimated US$181 billion cost due to pan flu pandemic of 2009³, and US$30 billion in only four months due to SARS-CoV-1).
Despite all the learnings and advice from different health organisations, one hundred years later, we were not ready.
Incredible far UV-C lighting technologies have been developed with huge potential for health and germicidal applications.
It is time to pave the way to new solutions that align with our technical development and life standards. Far UV-C technology is an optimal alternative that can be seamlessly integrated in our daily routine to provide a safer and healthier future.
References
[1] D.B. Jerningan, Influenza Division, CDC, 100 Years Since 1918: Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/pdfs/1918-pandemic-webinar.pdf.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. (July 1, 2021). Zoonotic Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html.
[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). Pandemic Influenza Plan 2017 UPDATE. Retrieved from Pandemic Influenza Plan – Update IV (December 2017) (cdc.gov).
[4] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (April 2, 2007). Rapid Response was Crucial to Containing the 1918 Flu Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/rapid-response-was-crucial-containing-1918-flu-pandemic.
[5] R Hatchett et al. Public health interventions and epidemic intensity during the 1918 influenza pandemic. PNAS DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0610941104 (2007).
[6] WHO. (2019). Ten threats to global health in 2019. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019.
[7] Kitagawa H. Effectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination. Am J Infect Control. 2021 Mar;49(3):299-301. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.022. Epub 2020 Sep 4. PMID: 32896604; PMCID: PMC7473342.
[8] Hessling M. The impact of far-UVC radiation (200-230 nm) on pathogens, cells, skin, and eyes – a collection and analysis of a hundred years of data. GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2021 Feb 16;16:Doc07. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000378. PMID: 33643774; PMCID: PMC7894148.
[9] Narita K . Disinfection and healing effects of 222-nm UVC light on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in mouse wounds. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2018 Jan;178:10-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.10.030. Epub 2017 Oct 27. Erratum in: J Photochem Photobiol B. 2018 Apr 3;: PMID: 29101868; PMCID: PMC5771808.
