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Everyone needs to remember that Ebola was not a worst-case…

“Everyone needs to remember that Ebola was not a worst-case scenario. Preparedness for the future means preparedness for a very severe disease that spreads via the airborne route or can be transmitted during the incubation period, before an infected person shows telltale signs of illness.” quote by Margaret Chan
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“Everyone needs to remember that Ebola was not a worst-case scenario. Preparedness for the future means preparedness for a very severe disease that spreads via the airborne route or can be transmitted during the incubation period, before an infected person shows telltale signs of illness.”

Margaret Chan

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ebola showed that even severe diseases can be less deadly than worst‑case expectations, so planning must target even more transmissible, airborne threats.

In simple terms: Prepare for worse than Ebola, especially airborne diseases.

Key Takeaway

Plan for the worst‑case airborne pandemics.

Themes

public health preparedness pandemic response risk assessment

Mood

cautious proactive

Type

policy strategic warningational

When to use this quote

  • hospital infection control
  • air travel screening
  • community surveillance
  • vaccine development

Key Concepts

epidemiology risk modeling early detection

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance resources between current threats and potential worst‑case pandemics?
  • What early‑warning systems could detect airborne spread before symptoms appear?
A Different Perspective

Assuming worst‑case scenarios may cause over‑allocation of resources away from current needs.

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