Oxford professor: The next epidemic may be more deadly

“This is not the last time that a virus threatens our lives and livelihoods. The fact is that another virus may be worse” – says the researcher.

“We cannot allow ourselves, after going through everything that has happened to us, to say that the huge economic losses we have suffered mean that we still lack the resources to prepare for another pandemic,” Gilbert emphasized.

The expert stresses that in order to preserve the achievements of scientific progress made during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is necessary to increase spending on combating diseases that may significantly affect humanity in the future.

She adds that accompanied by the current epidemic, the rapid increase in the rate of distribution of vaccines and medicines worldwide should become the norm and be maintained after the end of the epidemic.

Gilbert says the newly discovered Omikron variant of the coronavirus has mutations in the spike protein known to increase SARS-CoV-2 infection.

He also warns that the new variant contains other changes that may mean that antibodies generated by vaccines or by previous infection with another type of this virus may be less effective at preventing infection by omicron.

“Until we know more, we must be vigilant and take steps to stop the spread of the new form,” the researcher explains. (PAP)

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