The Characteristics of Pandemic Pathogens

The Characteristics of Pandemic Pathogens

This study attempts to name the characteristics of naturally occurring microorganisms which constitute a global catastrophic biological risk (GCBR).

2018

A respiratory borne, RNA-based virus is the most likely microbe to cause catastrophic risk to humans so this class should be the priority of preparedness efforts. This is in part due to a rapid replication rate and the lack of a broad-spectrum antiviral. Increasing specific diagnoses of infectious disease syndromes in clinical environments would increase our chances of identifying an emerging pathogen with pandemic potential.