Biological Disasters (Epidemics and Pandemics)

Biological disasters are causative of process or phenomenon of organic origin or conveyed by biological vectors, including exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive substances that may cause loss of life, injury, illness or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. Examples of biological disasters include outbreaks of epidemic diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect or other animal plagues and infestation.

India, being a third-world country, has bumped into a variety of epidemics and pandemics over time. Throughout history, several chronicles have been written on influenza, cholera, dengue, smallpox, and other diseases. Some of them are:

• Bombay Plague Epidemic began in September 1896 in colonial Bombay, creating a lot of social and political frenzy. The rapid growth of commerce in Bombay led to a rise in population and thereby overcrowding, resulting in the spread of the disease.
• Influenza Pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, began to spread worldwide, and India was considered the focus. The second wave of the attack began in Bombay in 1918 and spread to other parts.
• India was the worst affected by the Polio Epidemic (1970-1990) among the developing countries until the late 1990s. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), is considered the first infectious severe disease outbreak of the twenty-first century. In 2003, its roots were in the Guangdong province of China, where it quickly spread to 30 countries including India. Over the course of seven to eight months, there were 8,439 cases and 812 deaths.
• It was declared a pandemic in August 2010 after approximately 18,500 deaths had been reported worldwide. The H1N1 flu pandemic began in May 2009 and rapidly spread across the globe by July 2009.
• Globally, WHO classified the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic in March 2020 and urged countries to scale up treatment and detection efforts to combat the disease. More than 4.64 lakh people in India and 51 lakh people worldwide have succumbed to this deadly pandemic till now (Nov 15, 2021).

The evaluation of the biothreat and the capacity to manage, detect, and characterise the microorganism will be the foundation for disaster preparedness. Pre-vaccination of hospital employees and first responders who may come into contact with persons exposed to anthrax, smallpox, or other agents is one specific measure that will be taken as part of preparation. Additionally, it relates to actions taken to manage diseases brought on by biological agents, EMR, quick evacuation of casualties, well-practiced hospital DM plans, training of medical professionals at all levels, including doctors and paramedics, and improvements to the infrastructure of the medical system that will lower morbidity and mortality.