The world is becoming less resilient to outbreaks of infectious diseases, experts have warned, as health authorities in Africa scramble to contain an outbreak of Ebola.
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) said in a report that the frequency and severity of infectious diseases such as Ebola and hantavirus are increasing, posing a significant threat to global health.
The report highlights the growing global threat to public health, with the GPMB warning that the world is becoming less prepared to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has seen health teams working tirelessly to contain the spread of the disease, with the Foreign Office advising against all but essential travel to the affected areas.
The UK government has been urged to increase its funding for global health initiatives to help prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
According to the GPMB, the increasing frequency and severity of infectious diseases are due to a combination of factors, including climate change, urbanisation, and the increasing movement of people and goods around the world.