Learning from Catastrophes: Strategies for Reaction and Response

13. Dealing with Pandemics: Global Security, Risk Analysis, and Science Policy

Jiah-Shin Teh and Harvey Rubin

Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response, University of Pennsylvania

Overview

Low-probability, high-consequence biological events may result in tremendous loss of lives, livestock, and property, and often exact a serious toll on the social, economic, and political health of the communities involved. Examples of low-probability, high-consequence biological events include pandemic influenza, the Black Plague pandemic, and the smallpox epidemics early in the first millennium. One current example is the ongoing plague of HIV/AIDS.

This chapter discusses measures for enhancing preparedness against low-probability, high-consequence ...