The world must be “perpetually prepared” for the threat of future pandemics, according to Dr Anthony Fauci.

The former Chief Medical Advisor to the US president of 40 years said a pandemic along the lines of COVID-19 will “almost certainly” happen again.

Dr Fauci is currently visiting Ireland where he yesterday received an award from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland for “outstanding” contributions to public health.

Dr Anthony Fauci briefs the US public on COVID guidelines as then-President Donald Trump looks on. Image: American Photo Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

On The Pat Kenny Show today, he said: “We have every reason to believe” there will be more pandemics in the future.

“Almost certainly it will happen and that’s the reason we have to be perpetually prepared,” he said.

“You don’t want to be always worrying about a pandemic, but there’s a difference between constant worrying and being prepared.

“You can still be prepared and go along with your normal life, so long as you don’t forget the lessons you should have learned from what we’ve been through in the last four years.”

COVID unfinished

Dr Fauci said “we’re not completely finished” with COVID just yet.

“Today we have about 1,000 deaths per week [in the US]," he said.

“It’s certainly not as bad as it was, we’re much better off now than we were a couple of years ago and we have a safe and effective vaccine.

“But we must be prepared for the evolution of another pandemic because, historically, pandemics have been with us before even recorded history.”

President George W Bush and Dr Anthony Fauci in 2007. Image: Maidun Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

Dr Fauci said his work on AIDS/HIV is his proudest achievement through his role as Chief Medical Advisor in the US.

“There were a number because it’s been over a long period of time, almost 40 years – spanning over seven presidents,” he said.

“One that stands out is the opportunity I had during the George W Bush administration to put together what’s referred to as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

“We invested billions of dollars to get treatment prevention and care for HIV and AIDS in the developing world – predominantly southern Africa and in the Caribbean.”

Saving lives

Dr Fauci said the programme saved millions of lives.

“[Bush] sent me to Africa in 2002 to determine the feasibility of the programme because he felt strongly that individuals should not suffer and die from a treatable disease,” he said.

“The programme is 20 years old now and after 20 years we’ve invested over $100 billion in now 50 countries in the developing world - resulting in the saving of 25 million lives.

“That is one of the highlights of my experience with US presidents.”

Retirement

Having retired from his CMA role in 2022, Dr Fauci said he’s really enjoying his trip to Ireland.

“I love Ireland, my wife Dr Christine Grady is an Irish-American,” he said.

“Decades and decades and decades ago they came over to the States and I, indirectly to her, have a connection to Ireland.

“I’m very impressed by the warmth and the hospitality of the Irish people – it’s very obvious and we’re experiencing that over the few days I’m here.”

Dr Fauci is also going to receive the Fullbright Ireland Public Service Award 2024 at a ceremony in Dublin tonight.

Main image: Dr. Anthony Fauci in the White House, 13-4-2020.Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon.