Next Flu Pandemic “A Matter of When, Not If,” Says WHO with Release of New Strategy

The World Health Organization released its Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2013, the goals of which are to prevent seasonal influenza, control the spread of influenza from animals to humans, and prepare for the next influenza pandemic. “The threat of pandemic influenza is ever-present.” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The on-going risk of a new influenza virus transmitting from animals to humans and potentially causing a pandemic is real.   The question is not if we will have another pandemic, but when.  We must be vigilant and prepared – the cost of a major influenza outbreak will far outweigh the price of prevention.” Influenza remains one of the world’s greatest public health challenges. Every year across the globe, there are an estimated 1 billion cases, of which 3 to 5 million are severe cases, resulting in 290 000 to 650 000 influenza-related respiratory deaths.