The Asia-Pacific region is among the most vulnerable to natural disasters, such as typhoons, floods and earthquakes. But the recent focus on the region’s sensitivity to such events has eclipsed another vulnerability that may also pose a significant threat to Asia-Pacific’s development: disease outbreaks and pandemics.
The region has seen several infectious disease pandemics through the years. The severe acute respiratory syndrome that broke out in late 2002 resulted in more than 700 deaths in Hong Kong and neighboring areas. Just recently, South Korea was hit with a Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak, which resulted in nearly 40 deaths. Other infectious diseases that were believed to have started in the region include bird flu and swine flu.
The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has shown how quickly infectious diseases can spread if countries have weak health systems and are not prepared to handle a widespread pandemic. How then should the region prepare for such an outbreak?
About the author
Lean Alfred Santos@DevexLeanAS
Lean Alfred Santos is a former Devex development reporter focusing on the development community in Asia-Pacific, including major players such as the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He previously covered Philippine and international business and economic news, sports and politics.
