Leaders from around the world met in Davos, Switzerland, on January 24, 2024, to talk about the Disease X virus, which is said to be 20 times deadlier than the coronavirus.
Even though this virus doesn't exist yet, scientists and health experts aim to improve the system beforehand. If such a dangerous sickness appears in the future, they want to have a prevention plan ready. An expert told CBS News that this could happen sooner than we might expect.
Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins Center for Health
Security mentioned that there are many viruses that spread quickly and easily
from one person to another.
What is Disease X?
The World Health Organization assigned a duty to over 300 scientists to review 25 virus and bacteria families and to create a list of pathogens that are believed to have the potential to cause havoc and should be studied further. Collected in 2022. The list includes Disease X, which was first recognized by the organization in 2018.
WHO Research on viruses suggests that an unknown pathogen
could cause an international epidemic that could cause a destruction on a large
scale.
In Davos on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus highlighted the possibility of COVID-19 being deemed our inaugural
"Disease X." He emphasized that the scientists and the experts are
actively gaining insights from this unique experience and getting ready to fight
with this unknown disease if it happens.
Where could a potential source of Disease X emerge?
A lethal pathogen like Disease X, potentially a respiratory virus it might be already exist among animal species and waiting to cross into humans find a chance explains Adalja. This can involve bats, as seen with COVID-19, birds like bird flu or other animals like swine. The critical factor lies in the interaction between humans and animals while providing a breeding ground for such viruses.
How are experts getting ready for Disease X?
Fearing the potential devastation surpassing the destructions of COVID-19, which claimed over 7 million lives, Adalja warns of the severe consequences of unpreparedness, citing the 1918 influenza pandemic that claimed 50 million lives globally. To confront this, experts from worldwide are developing a very healthy plan. Ghebreyesus emphasizes that the need for an early-warning system and fortified health infrastructure, crucial lessons from the strained systems during the COVID-19 crisis.
What danger does Disease X pose?
Considering the Disease x on priority basis and keeping it on top of list by WHO signals about the severity of this unknown or forgotten pathogen that may cause a massive destruction round the globe both lives and financial grounds. The World Health Organisation (WHO) created a blueprint in response to the Ebola outbreak, which allowed for the prompt development of the first viable Ebola vaccine within a year. The speedy development of COVID-19 vaccinations is evidence that this kind of readiness is essential for a prompt response to save the lives.
What measures are in place to counter Disease X?
Recognizing the threat of the disease x the WHO, along with its global partners, has taken the basic steps for future pandemics. These steps include a pandemic fund, mRNA vaccine technology transfer centre for equitable access and a centre for pandemic and epidemic intelligence to enhance international collaboration in monitoring.
Michael Ryan, executive director of WHO's Health Emergencies
Programme has stated in 2022 that such steps are very important for a fast and
effective fight with an epidemic or pandemic response if it unfortunately
happens he also added that readiness is what made it possible for COVID-19
vaccinations to be developed in record time and it was due to a tiring effort of
experts and scientists.
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