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Lancet report blames ‘late’ WHO response for rapid Covid spread

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Aditi Tandon

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Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, November 9

The first retrospective analysis of events that caused Covid-19 to become a full-blown pandemic has revealed delay in the confirmation of human-to-human transmission of the disease by the WHO and recommended strong future measures to ensure timely warning systems.

The analysis, published in The Lancet today, shows a dedicated initial response by the WHO and some national governments, but also aspects of the response that could have been quicker—including outbreak notifications under the International Health Regulations (IHR), presumption and confirmation of human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2, declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and, most importantly, the public health response of many national governments.

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Titled “How an outbreak became a pandemic”, the analysis shows that understanding the spread of SARS-CoV-2, how and when evidence emerged, and the timing of local, national, regional and global responses is essential to prepare for future health threats.

The entire research is based on two literature reviews—WHO documents and correspondence, submissions to the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and an expert verification process.

The researchers note how evolving and, at times, ambiguous and contradictory messages were circulated about the suspected mode of transmission of the virus.

“On January 14, 2020, a WHO headquarters tweet indicated that Chinese authorities had found “no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission,” but indicated at a press conference earlier the same day that it was “possible”. Although the absence of clear evidence was consistent with human-to-human transmission still being possible, the nuance was not sufficiently clear,” the analysis says, holding out lessons for the future.

Importantly, on January 22–23, 2020, the IHR Emergency Committee was convened to consider whether to advise the WHO Director-General that the outbreak constituted a PHEIC.

Although confirming “human-to-human transmission is occurring”, the emergency committee said several members considered that it was too early to declare a PHEIC and did not recommend that determination.

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