China’s “Batwoman” Shi Zhengli Warns of Another Coronavirus Outbreak in Future
Key Highlights :
As the world continues to recover from the devastating effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, China’s “batwoman” Shi Zhengli has warned that another outbreak is “highly likely” to happen in the future. In a paper written with her colleagues, Shi warned that the world must be prepared for another Covid-19-like disease because “if a coronavirus caused diseases to emerge before, there is a high chance it will cause future outbreaks”, reported South China Morning Post.
Known for her research into viruses that leap from animals, especially bats, to humans, Shi gained the nickname of “batwoman”. Shi’s team from the Wuhan Institute of Virology evaluated the 40 coronavirus species with the risk of human spillover and rated half of them as “highly risky” out of which six have already been known to have caused disease infecting humans, according to the report. A further three species have caused disease or infected other animal species. “It is almost certain that there will be future disease emergence and it is highly likely a [coronavirus] disease again,” the study warned.
The paper published in the English-language journal Emerging Microbes & Infections in July was based on an analysis of viral traits, including population, genetic diversity, host species and any previous history of zoonosis – diseases that jump from animals to humans. Although, it gained attention on Chinese social media this month partly because the study was not written in Chinese.
However, a scientist from the country's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that it also reflected a desire to move on from the subject after the abrupt reversal of China’s zero-Covid policies. “Sometimes in private conversations, when talking with other public health scholars, we have noticed that intentionally or unintentionally, Chinese authorities are downplaying Covid-19, and some cities have stopped releasing infection data,” he said, the report said.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been a wake-up call for many countries to be better prepared for future pandemics. It is essential for governments to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of diseases that can be caused by the coronavirus, such as investing in better public health infrastructure, developing better diagnostic tests, and strengthening the healthcare system.
In addition, it is important for countries to take a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of future pandemics. This includes strengthening the surveillance of zoonotic diseases, strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers to respond to potential outbreaks, and improving the capacity of laboratories to diagnose and treat infectious diseases.
Furthermore, it is also essential for countries to invest in research and development to better understand the virus and develop effective treatments and vaccines. It is also essential to develop better public health messaging to ensure that people are aware of the risks associated with the virus and the importance of taking precautionary measures.
Finally, it is important for countries to invest in the development of new technologies that can help detect, monitor, and respond to potential pandemics. This includes the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies that can help detect and monitor potential outbreaks.
As the world continues to recuperate from the two years of a deadly pandemic, it is essential that governments and health authorities take proactive steps to prepare for future outbreaks. By investing in better public health infrastructure, developing better diagnostic tests, and strengthening the healthcare system, countries can be better prepared to respond to future pandemics and mitigate their spread.
