The World Economic Forum that commenced its annual meeting on January 15, in Switzerland’s Davos, will see a brainstorming session on novel ‘Disease X’. This is going to be part of the discussion after the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated warning people. As per the recent findings, ‘Disease X’ could be 20 times more fatal than the COVID-19 virus.
The formal meeting has titled the session “Preparation for Disease X”, inviting great minds of medical background to hold the discussion. Speakers like Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO); Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd; Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum Geneva; Roy Jakobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Philips; Michel Demaré, Chair of the Board, AstraZeneca Plc and Nisia Trindade Lima, Minister of Health, Ministry of Health of Brazil will be part of the meeting.
Disease X: Virus symptoms
Disease X is on a list of serious pathogens that can lead to outbreaks or global pandemics, alongside familiar names like COVID-19, Ebola, and Zika. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced Disease X in 2018 to represent an unknown pathogen that could cause a widespread epidemic.
The disease underlines the unpredictability of emerging diseases. Unlike specific illnesses, Disease X symbolises potential threats from new and unforeseen infectious agents, emphasizing the need for global readiness.
Speculation around Disease X
Some experts believe Disease X might be a variant of COVID-19, while others think it could be an entirely different harmful pathogen. This uncertainty highlights the importance of ongoing research, surveillance, and collaboration to identify and respond to new health threats, safeguarding global public health.
Disease X Virus cases: WHO calls for vigilance
In September of the previous year, healthcare professionals in the UK issued a grave warning that the next pandemic could be as devastating as the Spanish Flu of 1918-1920, potentially claiming 50 million lives worldwide. The recent COVID pandemic, which killed nearly 7 million people globally, underscores the urgent need to prepare for Disease X. The WHO stresses that worldwide, there are numerous potential pathogens, but resources for disease research and development are limited. This situation calls for global cooperation and vigilance to protect against the unpredictable challenges posed by new and unexpected health threats.
