Robust public health system necessary to control epidemics, says prof who discovered Ebola

Reputed Belgian microbiologist who co-discovered the Ebola virus, Professor Baron Peter Piot, speaking in Hyderabad on Friday, stressed on the need for developing a robust public health system with efficient diagnostic capabilities, for better control of epidemics. He also said that early detection of epidemics will be possible with better surveillance and use of artificial intelligence.

Dr Piot delivered a lecture on the topic ‘100 Years after the Spanish Flu: Are we ready for the Next Epidemic?’ on Friday at the University of Hyderabad, as a part of the Hyderabad Lecture Series, 2019 organized by the University of Hyderabad in association with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

According to Prof. Piot, zoonosis, transmission of infections from animals to humans, urbanisation, high-density population, international travel, climate change, conflict (humanitarian crisis), deforestation, population growth and increased food demand contribute to the risk of exposure to more and more emerging infections.

He said that early detection of epidemics is crucial in containing them, for which local capacity and rapid support system to respond to disease outbreaks has to be developed. Measures like infection control in hospitals, action against overuse of antibiotics and vaccine scepticism should be ensured.