An R&D Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics - Update 2017

Overview

With more frequent travel, globalized trade and greater interconnectedness between countries, infectious disease outbreaks of international concern are becoming inevitable, and they remain unpredictable. When faced with diseases for which there are few or no medical countermeasures, massive chaos and loss of life can ensue.

WHO is spearheading a global coalition to avert full-blown epidemics by making Research and Development (R&D) outbreak-ready. Together, we can spot emerging epidemics and stop them before they spiral out of control. We can save lives.

While conventional surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures remain cornerstones of a health emergency response, better understanding of highly infectious pathogens, and a repertoire of effective health technologies could be the key to pre-empting fullblown epidemics, and limiting human, social and economic losses.