Pandemic ‘could wipe out 900 million people,’ experts warn

By Erin Elizabeth

Researchers at John Hopkins University have shown, via simulation, what would happen should a new type of parainfluenza- known as Clade X- spread. While the simulation was designed “so the pathogen wasn’t markedly more dangerous than real illnesses such as SARS”, it shows nonetheless just how easily a new pathogen could wipe out up to 900 million people.

“American politicians played out the scenario – which was built to be extremely realistic – where a doomsday cult released a genetically engineered virus. By the end of the simulation in May, representing 20 months after the start of the outbreak, there were 150 million dead around the world – and no vaccine. The researchers say that the simulation would have ended with up to 900 million dead, nearly 10% of the world’s population.”