This book analyzes the factors that have sparked pandemics over the past 2000 years, from the Antonine Plague to COVID-19.
It is noteworthy that the frequency of pandemics has increased over the past 2000 years. The authors identify three main drivers for the development of pandemics: transportation, human development, and changes in natural ecosystems. It is important to note that with the advent of the industrial age, the length of time it takes for a pandemic to develop has decreased. COVID-19 is certainly not the last pandemic we will face. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to learn from the past 2000 years to help educate general community and public health officials about pandemic risks and help governments prepare for the next pandemic.
Autorentext
Claudia Ferreira, MD, PhD, graduated in medicine from the University of Cordoba in Argentina, followed by a fellowship from the Harvard AIDS Institute and the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, TX, USA. Dr. Ferreira has dedicated the last 25 years of her career to the fields of infectious diseases, tropical diseases and gastroenterology. Dr. Ferreira was also a medical editor of a web portal related to community awareness for bio-terrorism after 9/11. Dr. Ferreira also worked as an investigator for the National Agency for AIDS Research, a branch of the National Center for Research Science, and for several pharmaceutical laboratories in France. She recently started her own company to help international agencies and private organizations manage emerging infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness and - response planning.