Backgrounder

February 14, 2008

REDUCING THE THREAT OF GLOBAL EPIDEMICS

Containing Outbreaks Of Infectious Diseases

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003 dramatically highlighted the threat of infectious diseases right here in Ontario and around the world. It also demonstrated the importance of having quick and accurate systems in place to diagnose, treat, contain and monitor the spread of infectious diseases. 

The International Consortium on Anti-Virals at Trent University is harnessing the knowledge and cutting-edge research from 200 scientists from 21 countries and private sector partners to encourage collaboration and accelerate the development and delivery of treatments that target viral diseases worldwide.

With the goal of creating more affordable, fast-to-market anti-viral medications, the consortium’s activities support the Ontario government’s strategy to attract and retain highly skilled researchers. The goal is to boost Ontario’s economy and create high-value jobs in areas where Ontario can compete and win in the global economy.

Ontario has already invested $150,000 to solidify the consortium’s efforts to hold workshops, exchange ideas and share knowledge among its partner organizations. 

Key facts:

• Today’s investment will assist in the development of more effective, low-cost anti-viral drugs that are a key part of an early response to influenza and other epidemics like SARS.

• SARS killed 800 people around the world. On top of this human loss and suffering, the disease took a devastating toll on Ontario’s economy, putting people out of jobs and costing millions of dollars in lost potential economic activity.

• According to the World Health Organization, Influenza is a virus that poses significant threat to society.  In annual influenza epidemics five to 15 per cent of the population are affected with upper respiratory tract infections. Hospitalization and deaths mainly occur in high-risk groups (elderly, chronically ill).

• Annual influenza epidemics are thought to result in between three and five million cases of severe illness and between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths every year around the world. Most deaths currently associated with influenza in industrialized countries occur among the elderly over 65 years of age.

• According to Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns, a loss of a trillion dollars is what the world faces in the event of an influenza pandemic. Canada’s share would be $80 billion. 

• Influenza rapidly spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics and imposes a considerable economic burden in the form of hospital and other health-care costs and lost productivity.

• Anti-viral drugs provide protection while a vaccine is developed.  Anti-viral drugs can provide effective treatment for diseases where a vaccine has yet to be identified.

Learn more about the International Consortium on Anti-Virals

Read about the Influenza Virus

Find out more about Trent University

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