AM Best: insurers better equipped to respond to Ebola and Hantavirus outbreaks

Recent alerts concerning Ebola and Hantavirus serve as a reminder that emerging infectious diseases remain a risk that insurers and other market participants must continue to monitor, according to AM Best.

The rating agency noted that the insurance sector is now better positioned to respond to such events, largely due to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insurers have significantly strengthened their risk management frameworks through the adoption of advanced technological tools and enhanced monitoring capabilities. Companies have also updated policy wordings to address ambiguities surrounding coverage and exclusions that became apparent during the pandemic.

While health experts do not currently view either Ebola or Hantavirus as an immediate global threat, the potential risk remains, albeit at a limited level.
Beyond their public health implications, disease outbreaks could weigh on economic activity at a time when the global economy is already facing pressure from ongoing geopolitical tensions.