The Pandemic Puzzle—Reviewing the Existing Pieces, Searching for the Missing Ones

In their scholar study, “The Pandemic Puzzle—Reviewing the Existing Pieces, Searching for the Missing Ones,” Gianina-Valentina Băcescu Ene, Daniela Mănuc, Anca Bordianu, and Doina Adina Todea examine the socioeconomic implications of “(re)emerging infectious diseases” (Ene et al. 7) that trigger pandemics. The authors argue that infection transmission is largely influenced by pathogen type, human hosts, and external factors including globalization, economic development and urbanization, pollution, fragile health systems, and changes in human behavior. The study uniquely reviews pandemics and their management, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic was distinct in its use of artificial intelligence to detect transmission patterns.

The authors conclude that understanding the evolution and dynamics of pandemics, combined with predictive mathematical and effective machine learning models, can provide innovative solutions to combat future threats. This article underscores the importance of considering the socio-technological context when comparing COVID-19 to past pandemics to improve public health and safety strategies for infectious disease.