The end of epidemics : the looming threat to humanity and how to stop it

A leading doctor offers answers on the one of the most urgent questions of our time: How do we prevent the next global pandemic? The 2014 Ebola epidemic in Liberia terrified the world—and revealed how unprepared we are for the next outbreak of an infectious disease. Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a bird, bat, monkey, or pig, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison. In The End of Epidemics, Harvard Medical School faculty member and Chair of the Global Health Council Dr. Jonathan D. Quick examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS, SARS, and Ebola. Analyzing local and global efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined “The Power of Seven,” to end epidemics before they can begin. These actions include: - Spend prudently to prevent disease before an epidemic strikes, rather than spending too little, too late - Ensure prompt, open, and accurate communication between nations and aid agencies, instead of secrecy and territorial disputes - Fight disease and prevent panic with innovation and good science Practical and urgent, The End of Epidemics is crucial reading for citizens, health professionals, and policy makers alike.

“Jonathan Quick offers a compelling and intensely readable plan to prevent worldwide infectious outbreaks. The End of Epidemics is essential reading for those who might be affected by a future pandemic—that is, just about everyone.”—Sandeep Jauhar, bestselling author of Heart: A History

The 2020 outbreak of coronavirus has terrified the world--and revealed how unprepared we are for the next outbreak of an infectious disease. Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a bird, bat, monkey, or pig, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison.

In The End of Epidemics, Duke Global Health Institute faculty member and past Chair of the Global Health Council Dr. Jonathan D. Quick examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and other viral diseases . Analyzing local and global efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined "The Power of Seven," to end epidemics before they can begin. These actions include:

- Spending prudently to prevent disease before an epidemic strikes, rather than spending too little, too late
- Ensuring prompt, open, and accurate communication between nations and aid agencies, instead of secrecy and territorial disputes
- Fighting disease and preventing panic with innovation and good science

Practical and urgent, The End of Epidemics is crucial reading for citizens, health professionals, and policy makers alike.

“Dr. Quick’s urgent message makes one hope that this book will reach a huge audience and that its exhortations will be acted on everywhere.”—The Wall Street Journal

"Jonathan Quick offers a compelling and intensely readable plan to prevent worldwide infectious outbreaks. The End of Epidemics is essential reading for those who might be affected by a future pandemic—that is, just about everyone."—Sandeep Jauhar, bestselling author of Heart: A History The 2020 outbreak of coronavirus has terrified the world—and revealed how unprepared we are for the next outbreak of an infectious disease. Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a bird, bat, monkey, or pig, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison. In The End of Epidemics , Duke Global Health Institute faculty member and past Chair of the Global Health Council Dr. Jonathan D. Quick examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and other viral diseases . Analyzing local and global efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined "The Power of Seven," to end epidemics before they can begin. These actions include: - Spending prudently to prevent disease before an epidemic strikes, rather than spending too little, too late - Ensuring prompt, open, and accurate communication between nations and aid agencies, instead of secrecy and territorial disputes - Fighting disease and preventing panic with innovation and good science Practical and urgent, The End of Epidemics is crucial reading for citizens, health professionals, and policy makers alike. "Dr. Quick's urgent message makes one hope that this book will reach a huge audience and that its exhortations will be acted on everywhere."— The Wall Street Journal A leading doctor offers answers on the one of the most urgent questions of our time: How do we prevent the next global pandemic? The 2020 outbreak of coronavirus has terrified the world--and revealed how unprepared we are for the next outbreak of an infectious disease. Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a bird, bat, monkey, or pig, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison. In The End of Epidemics , Duke Global Health Institute faculty member and past Chair of the Global Health Council Dr. Jonathan D. Quick examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and other viral diseases . Analyzing local and global efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined "The Power of Seven," to end epidemics before they can begin. These actions include: - Spend prudently to prevent disease before an epidemic strikes, rather than spending too little, too late - Ensure prompt, open, and accurate communication between nations and aid agencies, instead of secrecy and territorial disputes - Fight disease and prevent panic with innovation and good science Practical and urgent, The End of Epidemics is crucial reading for citizens, health professionals, and policy makers alike. Outlines Recommendations For Preventing The Next Global Pandemic, Drawing On The Examples Of Epidemics Ranging From Smallpox And Aids To Sars And Ebola To Outline Specific Measures For Appropriate Spending, Communication, And Innovation. --publisher Stop Epidemics With The Power Of Seven -- The Bush-lessons From Ebola, Aids And Zika -- The Barn -- The Triple Threat : Bioterror, Bio-error And Dr. Frankenstein -- The Costs Of Complacency -- Lead Like The House Is On Fire -- Resilient Systems, Global Security -- Active Prevention, Constant Readiness -- Fatal Fictions, Timely Truths -- Disruptive Innovation, Collaborative Transformation -- Invest Wisely, Save Lives -- Ring The Alarm, Rouse The Leaders. Jonathan D. Quick, Md, With Bronwyn Fryer. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 241-274) And Index.