WHO warns that insect-borne viruses like Zika and Dengue fever could be the cause of the next pandemic

Insect-borne pathogens pose a “growing” risk and could lead to the next pandemic, according to the World Health Organization.

Arboviruses such as Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya and dengue are a group of pathogens spread by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks.

They are at the top of the list for the next potential outbreak that could turn into a pandemic, especially since nearly four billion people live in the tropical and subtropical regions where they thrive.

Experts are looking for strategies to prevent a recurrence of Covid-19.

Since 2016, there have been dozens of outbreaks of the Zika virus, an infection mostly spread by mosquitoes that can be harmful to pregnant women. (photo: mosquito inspector spraying homes after an outbreak)

“We spent two years through the Covid-19 pandemic and learned the hard way” [it costs] Dr Sylvie Briand, director of the WHO Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness team, said in a briefing on Thursday that it is not adequately prepared for high-impact events.

‘we have [a] The signal with Sars in 2003 and the flu epidemic experience in 2009 – but there were still gaps in our preparation.

“The next pandemic is most likely the result of a new arbovirus. We also have signs of increased risk.”

He spoke at the launch of WHO’s new Global Arbovirus Initiative, which aims to bring insect-borne threats under one roof.

WHO warns there are signs that arboviruses and the risks they represent are ‘increasing’ (archive photo)

Arboviruses are becoming increasingly common and currently pose a public health threat in tropical and subtropical regions.

While more than 89 countries have experienced Zika outbreaks since 2016, the risk of yellow fever has “increased since the early 2000s”.

Dengue fever infects 390 million people each year in 130 countries where it is endemic: it can cause hemorrhagic fever and death.

Yellow fever poses a high risk of epidemics in 40 countries, causing jaundice, severe hemorrhagic fever and death.

Chikungunya is less well known but occurs in 115 countries and causes severe and disabling joint arthritis.

The WHO believes that although there is a yellow fever vaccine, if not, the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Arbovirus is the informal name of any virus transmitted by arthropod vectors such as ticks (photo)

The UN health agency said the aim of the Global Arbovirus Initiative will be to focus resources on risk monitoring, pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection and response.

He insisted that international action was necessary given the “frequency and extent of outbreaks” of arboviruses, particularly those transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the World Health Organization’s emergency program, said: “For each of these diseases, there have been improvements in various aspects of surveillance, research and development.

But sustainability is often limited to the scope, duration and scope of disease-specific projects.

“There is an urgent need to reassess the tools available and how they can be used for disease to enable effective, evidence-based, practical intervention, equipped and trained staff, and community engagement.”