Bundibugyo virus reveals weaknesses in global disease response

Despite major advances in vaccine development and distribution, the world remains dangerously underprepared to deploy life-saving diagnostics and treatments during disease outbreaks, leaving countries vulnerable when new epidemics emerge.

A new report published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, a peer-reviewed medical journal, warns that while a robust global ecosystem now supports the development, evaluation, procurement and deployment of vaccines, no comparable system exists for therapeutics and diagnostics. The researchers argue that this gap has become one of the weakest links in global outbreak preparedness.

According to the report, the imbalance reflects a fundamental mismatch between public health priorities and commercial realities. Public health systems seek to reduce deaths, control transmission and minimize the social and economic impact of outbreaks. Manufacturers, however, must manage commercial risks, recover research and development costs, sustain production and generate returns on investment.

For diseases that cause sporadic outbreaks, particularly in low-income countries, the commercial incentives to develop diagnostics and treatments remain weak. As a result, promising scientific breakthroughs often fail to reach the people who need them most.

The report's researchers, including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, and Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak has exposed this critical weakness in the global outbreak response system.

They noted that although preparedness has improved significantly since the 2014–16 West Africa Ebola epidemic, the world still lacks reliable access to the diagnostics and therapeutics needed for a rapid and effective response to emerging infectious diseases.

While vaccines remain essential, the report stressed that diagnostics and treatments are equally important. Rapid diagnostic tests enable early detection and isolation of cases, while effective therapeutics can significantly reduce illness and deaths, easing pressure on overstretched health systems until vaccines become available.

The report also highlights the potential of post-exposure prophylaxis to protect people at high risk of infection, interrupt transmission chains and improve compliance with contact tracing.

"In many outbreak settings, these interventions can also contribute to building trust. Communities are more likely to seek care, cooperate with response efforts, and participate in surveillance activities when meaningful treatment options are available," the report said.

According to the researchers, the Bundibugyo outbreak demonstrates that effective epidemic response requires a complete toolkit comprising rapid diagnostics, effective therapeutics and preventive interventions that can interrupt transmission.

"No single intervention will be sufficient in every scenario. The more tools available in our toolbox, the better prepared the world will be to respond to the next outbreak," the report said.

The researchers argue that the next phase of global health preparedness must build an equally strong ecosystem for diagnostics and therapeutics, linking scientific innovation with regional manufacturing, procurement and regulatory systems.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn