Imternational talks resume on Pandemic accord

Pandemic accord deal in sight as talks resume Countries reconvened on Monday in a bid to finalize a landmark global agreement on handling future pandemics, with the specter of mpox, Marburg and H5N1 adding fresh urgency to seal a deal. Robin MILLARD Medical Xpress

After more than two years of talks, hopes are high of completing an accord by November 15, though the heart of the document—how to share pathogens and vaccines—is set to be worked out later.

In December 2021, fearing a repeat of the devastation wrought by COVID-19—which killed millions of people, crippled health systems and crashed economies—the World Health Organization's 194 member states agreed to draft an accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The emergence of a new strain of mpox, the deadly Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda and the spread of H5N1 bird flu in recent months have given the talks a jolt.

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