Disaster preparedness to exotic and emerging infections

Abstract

Exotic and emerging infectious diseases are emerging more frequently, and impacting more profoundly, all of humanity. Disasters risk reduction efforts over the preceding decades, culminating in the Hyogo and Sendai frameworks, have provided a roadmap for all countries to address emerging disaster related risks. Sudden onset or surprise epidemics of exotic or emerging diseases have the potential to exceed the adaptive capacity of countries and international efforts and lead to widespread unmitigated pandemics with severe flow on impacts. In this article pandemic preparedness is viewed through the lens of international disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts. Preparing for the unknown or unexpected infectious disease crisis requires different approaches than the traditional approaches to disaster related epidemic events. Countries must be able to position themselves optimally through deliberate planning and preparation to a position where future exotic or emerging infections can be managed without overwhelming public health, and other societal resources.