New Delhi, March 4: As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, several researchers and experts believe that the novel coronavirus could become seasonal in nature and that several parts of the world may see outbreaks at least once a year. The findings state that the fight against SARS-CoV-2 seems anything far from over. A senior official of the World Health Organisation (WHO) was quoted by reports saying that it was 'premature' and 'unrealistic' to think the COVID-19 pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year. Coronavirus May Kill 50-100 Million People Like 1918's Spanish Flu Did if Cases Keep Rising, Says Research Paper Published in The Lancet.

Dr McCauley, director of the Worldwide Influenza Centre, was quoted in a report by News18 saying that the biggest concern right now is seasonal flu and a future pandemic is likely to come from a flu strain. The official added saying that COVID-19 measures like social distancing, following COVID-19 protocols, sanitisation, and washing hands have contributed to one of the lowest flu circulations of the virus, adding that we still need to remain prepared for this type of scale of the event. Spanish Flu: As Coronavirus Spreads, Here's All About The 1918 Influenza, Which Was The Deadliest Pandemic of 20th Century.

The global COVID-19 cases topped 114.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.54 million till March 3, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The current global caseload stood at 114,794,551 while the death toll mounted to 2,547,493. The deadly nature of SARS-CoV-2 has prompted researchers and scientists to look for potential pathogens that can cause any pandemics in the future like the Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 influenza pandemic, which lasted from, February 1918 to April 1920. The deadly Spanish flu killed 50 million people, which is more than the deaths in World War 1.

The doctor further said that people of the world need to be prepared for the return of Spanish flu.  A report in The Sun quoted the official saying since the world has seen the Spanish Flu before, we could see it again. "Before coronavirus, the next one that was going to come out and get you was going to be the flu. The next one will be flu or another coronavirus. You know that flu can do it, and you now know that coronavirus can do it. So flu hasn’t gone off the list, flu remains on the list, flu remains on the list", McCauley said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 04, 2021 08:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).