Global health experts warn infectious disease outbreaks becoming more frequent and damaging amid hantavirus cruise ship incident and Ebola emergency

Global health experts warn that infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe as pandemic preparedness investments fail to keep pace with emerging threats. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board cited climate change and armed conflict as drivers of disease spread, while geopolitical fragmentation undermines collective response. The report emerges amid concurrent crises: a hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius and an Ebola emergency in the DRC with 87+ deaths. Experts attributed delayed outbreak detection to reduced funding for surveillance systems and early testing infrastructure. Despite advances in mRNA vaccine technology, the world is moving backwards on equitable access to vaccines and treatments—mpox vaccines took nearly two years to reach African nations. The WHO called for permanent independent monitoring mechanisms, finalisation of pandemic treaties ensuring equitable access, and dedicated financing for preparedness.