Disease X could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19, What Is Disease X?

In the wake of recent global health crises, the World Economic Forum is set to convene in Davos, Switzerland next week with a crucial session titled ‘Preparing for Disease X.’ 

The agenda underscores the fresh warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating the potential threat of an unknown disease that could surpass the impact of the recent coronavirus pandemic by claiming up to 20 times more lives.

Scheduled for January 17, this pivotal session will host prominent figures in the field of global health, including the Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Joining him will be Michel Demaré, chair of the board of AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company actively engaged in developing a vaccine against the coronavirus. Additionally, Nisia Trindade Lima, the Minister of Health for Brazil, will lend her expertise to the discussions.

What Is ‘Disease X’?

In the ongoing quest to anticipate and mitigate potential global health threats, scientists worldwide are scrutinizing a list of animal viruses with the ominous potential to spark another pandemic.

Termed “Disease X,” this cryptic entity refers to an illness caused by a presently unknown but significant microbial threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) elevated Disease X to a priority status for research in 2017, recognizing its enigmatic nature and the potential havoc it could wreak on a global scale.

The ever-growing list of zoonotic viruses, those capable of jumping from animals to humans, underscores the need for preemptive measures against the next potential pandemic.

The sheer unpredictability of which virus will breach the species barrier and trigger a widespread outbreak adds an element of mystery to Disease X. Among the known culprits on this threat list are viruses capable of rapid transmission, posing a substantial risk for global dissemination.

In 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of a Disease X in the form of COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus. This event served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability posed by infectious diseases with the potential to rapidly spiral into a pandemic.

The WHO’s recognition of Disease X alongside notorious pathogens like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Ebola underscores the severity and urgency with which it is regarded.