Viral pandemics: history, causes, consequences and control strategies

Relevance . Viral pandemics pose a global threat to public health and economics, placing an enormous burden on health systems in many countries. Historical examples such as the Antonine plague, the Spanish flu, and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, demonstrate their devastating impact on demographics and social stability. Modern factors, including urbanization, intensive population migration, close contacts with animals, and a high rate of RNA virus variability, increase the likelihood of new pandemics. Analyzing the history, causes, and consequences of pandemics, as well as developing control strategies, remain priorities for epidemiology, virology, and vaccine prevention. Aim . To analyze accumulated data in the field of epidemiological and virological research on geography, phylogenetics, and geoepidemiology of RNA viruses that have caused the largest outbreaks of diseases over the past century; and to evaluate modern strategies for preventing and managing pandemics with a focus on epidemiological surveillance. Material and methods . The authors have reviewed scientific literature, including historical sources, epidemiological data, and findings of molecular genetic research. The analysis of pandemics caused by influenza A (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2) viruses, coronaviruses (SARSCoV-1, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2) and filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg) has been undertaken. The mechanisms of reassortment and mutation of RNA viruses, as well as the influence of anthropogenic and biotic factors on their spread have been studied. WHO data, Russian and international studies, including the domestic VGARus platform for aggregating data on the genomes of circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses, have been explored. Results and discussion . Influenza A viruses and coronaviruses have a high pandemic potential due to their variability, zoonotic origin, and ability to airborne transmission. Pandemics of the XX–XXI centuries, including the “Spanish flu” (1918-1919) and SARS-CoV2 (2019-2025), have demonstrated a significant impact on demographics, economics and medicine development. Filoviruses cause local outbreaks with high mortality, yet their epidemic potential is limited due to the lack of an airborne transmission mechanism and an endemic nature of their existence. Modern genomic surveillance technologies such as GISRS and VGARus, make it possible to monitor the development of viruses, allowing for regular updating of vaccine strains. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digitalization, telemedicine, and operational regulatory measures with the use of available resources. However, the asymptomatic course and rapid evolution of viruses make it difficult to control the situation with outbreaks. Conclusion . Viral pandemics remain an unavoidable threat, requiring a comprehensive approach to their prevention and control. Advances in vaccine prevention, genomic surveillance, and health digitalization demonstrate a potential to minimize the effects of future pandemics. International cooperation, timely regulatory measures, and further development of the national biosafety systems for rapid response to new pathogens are critically important.