Berlin (dpa) – Germany’s acting Health Minister Karl Lauterbach believes it will be possible in future to contain or even prevent the global spread of fatal viruses such as coronavirus. This is because over 190 countries, under the umbrella of the WHO, have agreed on a new pandemic treaty. “It is no exaggeration to call this agreement historic,” Lauterbach said in Berlin.
He explained that it would allow information about viruses or other pathogens with pandemic potential to be shared faster internationally in future. This would then allow a more rapid response. “And this will simply increase the probability that a local outbreak never becomes a pandemic, if such an agreement is in place,” added Lauterbach.
In the WHO treaty, countries undertake to strengthen their healthcare systems and their monitoring of the animal kingdom. The idea is to rapidly identify outbreaks of disease and, ideally, nip them in the bud. Furthermore, the treaty aims to avoid chaos when it comes to the procurement of protective materials and prevent the unjust distribution of vaccines.
Lauterbach regretted that the USA, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, had not taken part in the negotiations and would be leaving the WHO in January.
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