To begin with, in order to provide comprehensive guidance concerning the distribution of funds for the monitoring, prevention, control, and treatment of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, it is essential to identify the problem. Thus, zoonoses, or zoonotic infections or diseases, are ailments naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to human beings and vice versa. Transmission may occur “by the consumption of contaminated food and water, exposure to the pathogen during preparation, processing or by direct contact with infected animals or humans” (Sanyaolu et al., 2016, p. 1). A recent observation of zoonotic diseases’ trend indicates that the emerging of new pathogens remains unpredictable and they keep spreading across the countries.
According to the World Health Organization (n.d.), approximately 60% of emerging infectious diseases detected and reported worldwide are zoonoses, and 75% of new human pathogens revealed in the last several decades have originated in animals. In general, zoonotic infectious diseases may be regarded as a critical issue of global health protection due to high mortality rates, their epidemic potential, and limited access to vaccines and specific treatment for spread control.
In addition, because of globalization that resulted in the interconnectedness of the contemporary world, any infectious disease that emerged in one country constitutes a potential threat to all others. Moreover, besides a considerably high burden on global health systems, mortality, and morbidity, zoonoses cause substantial economic losses due to the limitations of trade, manufacturing, and traveling.
After the analysis of the infectious diseases’ previous outbreaks and a current situation related to the coronavirus pandemic, it is possible to conclude that the sustainable and reasonable distribution of $100 billion would be in the following way:
- 10% ($10 billion) of the funds for epidemiological, biomedical, and behavioral research. This sum is justified by the unpredictable character of pandemics and outbreaks, current knowledge in the etiology of the majority of viruses, and the prevalent significance of prevention and treatment. In other words, zoonoses are almost impossible to predict regardless of their well-investigated nature. Moreover, for instance, coronaviruses (CoVs) as a “large family of single-stranded RNA viruses” and their impact on the health of animals and human beings have been already distinguished by specialists before the pandemic started in 2019 (Wu et al., 2020, p. 44).
- 50% ($40 billion) of funds for the prevention of diseases and community education. According to the statements of the United Nations Environment Programme (2020), “given that a single zoonotic outbreak can incur trillions of US dollars in costs across the globe, prevention is significantly more cost-effective than response” (p. 7). The identified sum will contribute to the collaboration between veterinary and medical scientists, laboratory scientists, and health practitioners for the detection of emerging diseases for adequate preventative response in the future. Additional strategies should include the engagement of environmental stakeholders, the enhancement of control and regulations concerning food systems, the evaluation of agricultural practices with subsequent deletion of unsustainable ones (United Nations Environment Programme, 2020). In addition, taking into consideration the nature and origin of zoonotic infections, it is essential to pay particular attention to animal health and its strengthening in cooperation with wildlife health services. Moreover, from a personal perspective, additional policy changes should be taken in this sphere as inequities in the health care systems and economy have already led to the non-homogeneous spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this case, primary prevention is connected with secondary one when the disease’s incidence rates are useful for the analysis of related factors to improve them and minimize negative effects of any pandemic in the future. Subsequently, all information should be shared with the global community in a time-sensitive and comprehensive manner in order to raise awareness and ensure people that they play a highly significant role in the disease’s prevention (United Nations Environment Programme, 2020). Moreover, an educational campaign related to the ways of the virus’s transmission should be launched along with mandatory strict measures including quarantine, mask-wearing, and social distancing.
- 20% ($20 billion) of the funds for testing/screening in order to evaluate the incidence and prevalence rates. It goes without saying that the detection of vulnerable populations is immeasurably essential in order to prepare an adequate response. For instance, according to multiple reports of public health researchers, minorities, such as Black and Latino people, are affected by COVID-19 at disproportionally high rates in comparison with White citizens (Eligon et al., 2020). Understanding these rates and factors that influence them may improve the situation in the future and minimize inequities in the case of new pandemics. At the same time, all people should have access to medical services and treatment regardless of their socioeconomic or racial peculiarities.
- 20% ($20 billion) of the funds for treatment and vaccination. In fact, it is impossible to deny the significance of appropriate treatment and vaccines during the pandemic to end it. At the same time, concerning potential outbreaks in the future and their management, it is essential to remember that the necessity of treatment is directly connected with disease control and prevention.
References
Eligon, J., Burch, A. D. S., Searcey, D., & Oppel Jr., R. A. (2020). Black Americans face alarming rates of coronavirus infection in some states. The New York Times. Web.
Sanyaolu, A., Okorie, C., Mehraban, N., Ayodele, O., Tshitenge, S. K., Knox, R., Mullaj, E., Nandzo, A., El-Samman, A., Neshewat, S., & Vivek, S. (2016). Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, 2(3), 1-8.
United Nations Environment Programme. (2020). Preventing the next pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission. United Nations Environment Programme and International Livestock Research Institute.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Zoonotic disease: Emerging public health threats in the Region. Web.
Wu, D., Wu, T., Liu, Q., & Yang, Z. (2020). The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: What we know. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 94, 44-48. Web.