Enlightenment from the COVID-19 Pandemic:The Roles of Environmental Factors in Future Public Health Emergency Response

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic is challenging the current public health emergency response systems(PHERSs)of many countries.Although environmental factors,such as those influencing the survival of viruses and their transmission between species including humans,play important roles in PHERSs,little attention has been given to these factors.This study describes and elucidates the roles of environmental factors in future PHERSs.To improve countries’capability to respond to public health emergencies associated with viral infections such as the COVID-19 pandemic,a number of environmental factors should be considered before,during,and after the responses to such emergencies.More specifically,to prevent pandemic outbreaks,we should strengthen environmental and wildlife protection,conduct detailed viral surveillance in animals and hotspots,and improve early-warning systems.During the pandemic,we must study the impacts of environmental factors on viral behaviors,develop control measures to minimize secondary environmental risks,and conduct timely assessments of viral risks and secondary environmental effects with a view to reducing the impacts of the pandemic on human health and on ecosystems.After the pandemic,we should further strengthen surveillance for viruses and the prevention of viral spread,maintain control measures for minimizing secondary environmental risks,develop our capability to scientifically predict pandemics and resurgences,and prepare for the next unexpected resurgence.Meanwhile,we should restore the normal life and production of the public based on the“One Health”concept,that views global human and environmental health as inextricably linked.Our recommendations are essential for improving nations’capability to respond to global public health emergencies.

COVID-19 containment: China provides important lessons for global response

The world must act fast to contain wider international spread of the epidemic of COVID-19 now.The unprecedented public health efforts in China have contained the spread of this new virus.Measures taken in China are currently proven to reduce human-to-human transmission successfully.We summarized the effective intervention and prevention measures in the fields of public health response,clinical management,and research development in China,which may provide vital lessons for the global response.It is really important to take collaborative actions now to save more lives from the pandemic of COVID-19.

2019 novel coronavirus outbreak:a quiz or final exam?

The 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)is an emerging pathogen and is threatening the global health.Strikingly,more than 28000 cases and 550 deaths have been reported within two months from disease emergence.Armed with experience from previous epidemics in the last two decades,clinicians,scientists,officials,and citizens in China are all contributing to the prevention of further 2019-nCoV transmission.Efficient preliminary work has enabled us to understand the basic characteristics of 2019-nCoV,but there are still many unanswered questions.It is too early now to judge our performance in this outbreak.Continuous and strengthened efforts should be made not only during the epidemic,but also afterwards in order to prepare for any incoming challenges.