05-14-2021, 05:49 PM
At some point in the future, anti-pathogen treatments will be prompt enough to prevent future pandemics. We aren't there yet. In OA, we take it for granted that medical technology can cope with any naturally-evolved pathogen- even those encountered on alien planets. This level of confidence doesn't really become available until the First Federation era.
Even then there is the distinct possibility that pathogens could be designed by deliberate agency, pathogens that could defeat the most sophisticated defences available at any particular time. The art of medical defence against weaponised pathogens would be an on-going arms race, which will persist so long as there are conflicts between factions.
Even then there is the distinct possibility that pathogens could be designed by deliberate agency, pathogens that could defeat the most sophisticated defences available at any particular time. The art of medical defence against weaponised pathogens would be an on-going arms race, which will persist so long as there are conflicts between factions.