Outbreaks of infectious diseases threaten lives, our health and the economy. In a world where people make multiple contacts at work, home or in leisure activities, live in close-built environments that are changing global ecology, and where travel is frequent, outbreaks arise and spread rapidly. Recent multi-country viral outbreaks such as Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) claimed thousands of lives and cost billions of dollars.

When diseases are predictable, theoretically, health systems can be designed to manage them. For example, if hospitals know the seasonality of influenza, pneumonia or diarrhoea, they can plan for the surge in admissions, ensuring that beds and staff are available when needed. In India, this does not happen because hospital bed occupancy is high; but planning ensures supplies and drugs...................Read more

Source: The Hindu