Responses against infectious disease pandemics: a narrative review on COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Currently, the world is facing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With this, an emerging infectious disease pandemic in the absence of effective antiviral agents and vaccines for a novel virus is no different from the 1918 influenza pandemic, which became a great disaster for humankind. We also experienced a global lockdown with a stringent implementation of social distancing, which is a first for mankind living in the present day, and has led to enormous economic damage and restrictions on individual freedom. The microorganism that will cause the next pandemic may be a highly fatal avian influenza virus, another coronavirus, or a completely different microorganism. This COVID-19 pandemic is an enormous lesson for humankind and is tantamount to a vaccine in preparation for the next pandemic. Important and urgent undertakings were given to each country in terms of complementing laws and regulations for a stronger and more resilient healthcare system, such as investment in research and development for new rapid diagnostic technologies, vaccines, new therapeutic agents, among others.