International Community Must Become Better Prepared To Address Infectious Disease Outbreaks

New York Times: A Yellow Fever Epidemic Made Worse by a Vaccine Shortage
Editorial Board

“…[D]onor countries like the United States, the WHO, and the countries at risk need to invest more and act faster when there is [a yellow fever] outbreak. Industrialized countries need to provide the money to come up with a faster [vaccine] production process and increased capacity to handle [vaccine shortages] and future epidemics. Similar investments are needed to improve the ability of local labs to quickly diagnose yellow fever and other infectious diseases. Controlling mosquitoes is critical, too. Simple steps like getting rid of standing water, removing garbage, using screens, and applying insecticides and insect repellents can reduce infection rates. Local and national governments need to take the lead on this, but the international community can provide support. Ebola, Zika, and now yellow fever have shown that infectious diseases do not respect borders and are a threat that countries need to face together” (8/20).

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