Will Another Pandemic Like COVID Strike Again?

A few years ago, we witnessed how the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world. It claimed millions of lives and left many more battling long-term health issues. Forgetting that deadly pandemic is not easy, and in fact, the fear of COVID still lingers among the public. Before that fear could fully fade, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now issued a fresh warning — another pandemic is inevitable.

It’s not just a possibility; WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom has urged the world to be prepared to face it. This looming threat could arrive soon or years later — maybe tomorrow, maybe two decades from now. WHO has indicated that the next pandemic is likely to be another infectious disease.

Not long ago, the Omicron variant caused fresh waves of fear globally. Now, health analytics firm Airfinity Limited has warned that there is a 27.5% chance that the world will face another pandemic like COVID within the next ten years. Factors like population growth, climate change, increased international travel, and the emergence of new diseases that can jump from animals to humans are contributing to this risk.

However, the report also mentioned a hopeful possibility: if effective vaccines can be developed within 100 days of detecting the new pandemic, its impact can be significantly reduced.

Earlier this year, China was shaken by a new type of virus, which brought back chilling memories. Anytime China’s name pops up in such contexts, it sparks global concern — a direct result of the COVID-19 experience. Following COVID-19, China saw the emergence of the Human Metapneumovirus, leading to long queues outside hospitals.

While this raised global alarms, the Indian government responded swiftly. However, India’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) clarified that there is no need for panic regarding the Human Metapneumovirus, easing public concerns.

Still, the big question remains: when will the next pandemic hit, and how many lives will it claim? No one knows for sure — but the world can’t afford to be unprepared.