Scientists have increasingly sounded the alarm about
insufficient global pandemic preparedness, messaging
which has appropriately escalated in the past two decades
after the SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS
(Middle East respiratory syndrome), and Ebola outbreaks [1].
This global lack of readiness was revealed during the most
recent COVID-19 pandemic via slow threat recognition, early
mixed public health messaging, supply chain disruptions,
and vaccine rollout challenges [2]. This article reviews how
pandemic pathogens originate and describes methods of
early pathogen detection. It also details how multi-level
interventions such as public health messaging, widespread
accessible testing, and international cooperation, including
funding, are critical tools for mitigating the spread of disease.
Finally, we discuss how advancements in biotechnology
help counter widespread outbreaks, including the use of
early molecular diagnostics, application of therapeutics, and
the development of "plug and play" vaccines. The world
demands early and strong preparation to prevent the next
pandemic.