I. Overview
The United Nations General Assembly established 27 December 2020 as the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness to highlight how vital it is to prevent epidemics, be ready for them, and work together in response.
II. Significance of the Theme
III. What is epidemic preparedness?
Epidemic preparedness is the state of being ready to detect, prevent, and respond early and effectively to epidemics by strengthening health systems, protecting essential services, learning from past outbreaks, and coordinating efforts across human, animal, plant, environmental, national, and international sectors.
IV. Quick Facts about epidemic preparedness
- About 60% of all human infectious diseases come from animals
- Roughly 75% of new or emerging infections like Ebola, HIV, influenza, and COVID-19 have animal origins.
- Fast surveillance systems help spot outbreaks quickly and stop them from spreading.
V. A Brief History of Rare Disease Day
Medieval era: One of the earliest recorded epidemics occurred in Athens, Greece, where a four-year outbreak known as the Plague of Athens struck during the Peloponnesian War and wiped out about 30–35% of the population.
8th century: smallpox hit Japan hard.
1000–1350 centuries: In Europe, leprosy outbreaks led to building isolation centers for people with the disease.
1346–1353: Originating in Russia Black Death (plague) kills over one-third of Europe.
1618–1648 : In Central Europe Influenza, typhus, plague spread with war and many German regions lose up to half their population.
