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Ebola, for instance, caused over 28,000 cases with more than 11,000 deaths in West Africa. The response involved remarkable coordination, leading to the development of effective vaccines. However, the complexities revealed that when Ebola outbreaks subside, ongoing preparedness and vaccine deployment become challenging. The same pattern played out with Zika, which saw a sudden surge and highlighted gaps in surveillance and response.
Preparing for the Unpredictable
The WHO's blueprint aims specifically to address these challenges. It is designed to help nations prioritize the diseases most likely to cause future crises and ensure that research, development, and manufacturing of countermeasures like vaccines and treatments are underway before outbreaks occur.