Table 1.

Steps Taken to Tackle Pandemics of Last Two Decades

Pandemic	Duration	Steps Taken to Curb Outbreaks
Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus infection (SARS CoV1)	2002-2004	Syndromic surveillance
		Rapid isolation of cases
		Strict isolation of all contacts
		Community-level quarantine in some areas
		Closure of schools, universities and public places.
		Control of human to human transmission of disease during early phase of the pandemic.[41]
Influenza A H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu) Pandemic	2009-2010	Activation of Emergency Operations Centre within one week.
		Development of real-time PCR test within two weeks.
		There were no travel restrictions or closing of international and domestic borders.
		Quick home isolation of all with flu symptoms for either seven days or until symptoms subsided.
		Early quarantine of all foreign visitors suspected of having being in contact with infected people.[42]
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV infection	2012-present	Enforcement of a rapid response team, with infectious disease doctors and infection control professionals.
		Rapid tracking and alert system for index cases
		Prompt implementation and development of airborne infection control guidelines
		Training of healthcare workers for important infectious diseases was encouraged
		Measures were made for controlling overcrowding in hospitals[43,44]
Western African Ebola virus epidemic	2013-2016	All potential transmissions after reporting of the first case were tracked
		Vaccination of not just patients, but also of front-line healthcare workers, people in contact with confirmed cases, and their contacts was carried out.
		New quarantine and treatment facilities were constructed.
		Mobile laboratories were set up and technicians trained to test Ebola samples.
		Public health measures such as promoting hand hygiene, wearing masks, gloves etc., were put in practice.
		Safe burial practices also helped to control infection
		Screening of passengers at domestic and international ports and airports was done to check transmission.[45]
Zika Virus Epidemic	2015-2016	Genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were released throughout Brazil on approval of country’s National Biosafety Committee, to control transmission of Zika virus.
		Brazilian President released a decree that lead to an increase in access to private property by local and federal pest control agents. This was required for controlling and eliminating Aedes mosquito outbreaks in Brazil.
		Mass awareness and education activities to control mosquito breeding and vector control measures.[46]
SARS CoV2 infective disease (COVID19) pandemic	2019-present	A strategy of screening, containment and mitigation has been adopted to control outbreaks
		In Screening, devices such as Infrared thermometers/Temperature scanners are being used to detect fever associated with the coronavirus disease.[47]
		In Containment, those who have tested positive, as well as their contacts are traced and isolated.
		Mitigation stage involves steps that are taken to control the spread of infection and reduce its effects on the healthcare infrastructure.
		Preventive measures to control transmission include proper hand hygiene, wearing face masks, maintaining 6ft social distance.
		Schools, universities and workplaces across the globe have been closed. There has been
		cancellation or postponement of almost all major sporting, cultural, religious events.
		International borders were closed, and flights suspended. Domestic travel was restricted in some countries.
		Several countries have also imposed curfews and bans on mass mobility.[48]