In a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) tabletop exercise, health ministers from 15 countries simulated a global response to a fictional pandemic caused by a virus dubbed "Mammothpox".
This scenario was designed to test international preparedness for the next major health crisis, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.
The exercise, led by WHO's Health Emergencies Programme under Dr. Mike Ryan, imagined the outbreak resulting from a scientific expedition in the Arctic. A team of researchers and filmmakers unearthed a well-preserved woolly mammoth specimen from thawing permafrost. Upon analyzing tissue samples, several team members fell ill with symptoms resembling smallpox and mpox.
Participants in the simulation included representatives from countries such as Denmark, Somalia, Qatar, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. The United States and China did not participate. Each nation was provided with partial information to assess their ability to share data and collaborate effectively. The exercise highlighted the challenges of coordinating responses amid differing national strategies. Some countries implemented strict border controls, while others relied on contact tracing and quarantine measures.
The simulation underscored the necessity for unified international cooperation to manage the spread of infectious diseases. This exercise serves as a reminder of the potential risks posed by climate change, which can lead to the thawing of ancient permafrost and the re-emergence of long-dormant pathogens. It emphasizes the importance of preparedness and global solidarity in addressing future health emergencies.
By Naila Huseynova
Source: caliber.az
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