Global Pandemic Preparedness at a Critical Crossroads
The world is facing an increasing risk of pandemics and deadly virus outbreaks, with the current level of preparedness being less effective than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a major report by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB). The findings come as health authorities worldwide are dealing with outbreaks of life-threatening diseases such as Ebola and hantavirus, while Australia is currently managing one of its worst diphtheria outbreaks since records began.
The GPMB, a body convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018 following the West African Ebola epidemic, was established to assess how well countries are equipped to handle future pandemics. Its latest report, released on Monday, highlights that “as infectious disease outbreaks become more frequent, they are also becoming more damaging,” warning that global preparedness is moving in the wrong direction.
“[The] evidence is clear: health, economic, social and political impacts of health emergencies have not diminished, and in important areas are growing,” the report authors wrote. “In short, reforms have not kept pace with rising pandemic risk — the world is not yet meaningfully safer.”
Professor Sharon Lewin from the Doherty Institute at the University of Melbourne, who was not involved in the report, emphasized the importance of global cooperation and equitable access to health measures for effective pandemic preparedness. She stated, “You can have the best science in the world, but if people can’t access it or mistrust it, or governments don’t support it, then we won’t do well from that health challenge.”
Lewin stressed the need for scientists to work closely with communities, policymakers, and strategies focused on global equity. However, she warned that the global outlook for these broader systems remains concerning.
Current Outbreaks and Their Impacts
The WHO recently declared a global health emergency over an outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola in Africa, which has claimed at least 131 lives and infected more than 500 others. At the same time, the organization and national health agencies are working to contain a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, which has resulted in three deaths.
In Australia, the country is grappling with a diphtheria outbreak, with over 220 cases reported this year, including the first diphtheria-related death in almost a decade.
Factors Contributing to Increased Risk
The report identifies several factors contributing to the rising threat of outbreaks, including climate change, armed conflict, rapid global movement, and growing political fragmentation. In 2024, the WHO detected nearly twice as many health emergencies as it did in 2015, highlighting the increasing frequency of outbreaks globally.
Despite advancements in tools to fight disease outbreaks, such as mRNA vaccines, genomic sequencing, and faster diagnostics, the authors note that these gains are being undermined by misinformation, underfunding, and geopolitical tensions.
The report warns that trust in public institutions and international cooperation has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, making it harder for countries to mount a unified response when outbreaks occur.
While AI has “enormous potential” to transform pandemic preparedness, the authors caution that without safeguards and effective oversight, it could deepen health inequities and widen access gaps.
Calls for Action and International Cooperation
The GPMB has called for stronger international monitoring systems, more equitable access to vaccines and treatments, and sustainable long-term funding for pandemic preparedness. It also urges governments to invest more in public health infrastructure and preparedness measures, emphasizing that the cost of prevention is far lower than responding to another global pandemic.
In Australia, Professor Lewin noted that some aspects of preparedness have improved since the pandemic, including the establishment of a national Centre for Disease Control, investments in infectious disease monitoring, and changes to data reporting systems. However, she warned that pandemic preparedness cannot be viewed solely through a national lens.
“Pandemic preparedness is not about countries working in isolation,” she said. “If we just look after Australia and say we’re okay, we’re ready, we’ll have access to vaccines [and] diagnostics, we don’t need to worry — that’s not a good approach. We need to stop new outbreaks at their source.”
Lewin also highlighted the importance of Australia playing a role in improving equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments globally. She pointed to contributions to the Global Fund and the WHO as key areas where Australia can make a difference.
