From epidemic to pandemic

When outbreaks of infectious diseases occur, they bring with them periods of great uncertainty. As events develop, resources and capacities that are often limited will be stretched even further, and decisions regarding a public health response are usually made quickly, despite the likelihood that the evidence for decision-making may be limited (World Health Organization (WHO), 2016). When such situations arise, public health officials, policy-makers, healthcare workers and public health practitioners require guidance as they make complex bioethical decisions.

Previously, the WHO had talked only of the ‘threat’ or ‘potential’ for a pandemic; however, with cases in more than 100 countries and increasing numbers not linked to travel, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic on 11 March (WHO, 2020). It is anticipated in the days and weeks ahead that the number of cases, deaths and affected countries will continue to climb, yet higher.