World health officials brace for disease x as who highlights potential for a lethal pathogen deadlier than covid-19

As world leaders convene in Switzerland this week to address global health concerns, the looming threat of an incoming pandemic takes center stage. Amidst the discussions, the concept of “Disease X” has emerged, representing a hypothetical, currently unknown pathogen that the World Health Organization (WHO) warns could potentially claim 20 times more lives than the Covid-19 pandemic did.

Disease X is described as “as infectious as measles with the fatality rate of Ebola.” Scientists emphasize the urgent need for preparations, considering it a matter of probability rather than possibility that Disease X could strike. Kate Bingham, former chair of the UK vaccine task force, suggests that the world may view the Covid-19 pandemic as a “walk in the park” in retrospect, despite its significant global impact.

What is Disease X?

Disease X was added to the WHO’s list of nine priority diseases in 2018. It represents an unknown pathogen with characteristics that could lead to a severe global outbreak. Experts highlight the need for early preparations and funding to tackle the next potential pandemic.

The Nine Priority Pathogens:

• Ebola and Marburg:
  • Severe and highly infectious viruses originating from bats.
  • Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, and hemorrhagic symptoms.
  • Ebola has a case fatality rate ranging from 25% to 90%, while Marburg’s rate ranges from 24% to 88%.
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever:
  • Deadly tick-borne virus endemic in warmer climates.
  • Spread by ticks, with a case fatality rate of up to 40%.
  • Symptoms include fever, muscle ache, dizziness, and organ failure.
• Lassa Fever:
  • Acute viral hemorrhagic illness with symptoms including internal bleeding.
  • Spread through exposure to rat urine or feces.
  • Endemic in West African countries.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS):
  • Viral respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, similar to Covid-19.
  • Symptoms include headache, body aches, dry cough, and pneumonia.
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS):
  • Transmitted to humans via camels, known as camel flu.
  • Symptoms range from mild to severe, including fever, cough, and pneumonia.
  • Case fatality rate is approximately 35%.
• Covid (SARS-CoV-2):
  • Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, led to the global pandemic.
  • New variants, such as JN.1, pose potential risks due to increased transmissibility.
• Nipah:
  • Virus spreading from fruit bats or livestock with a fatality rate of up to 75%.
  • Symptoms include brain swelling, and survivors may experience long-term neurological conditions.
• Rift Valley Fever:
  • Viral disease primarily affecting domestic animals.
  • Can spread to humans through mosquitoes or eating infected meat.
  • Ranges from mild flu-like illness to severe hemorrhagic fever.
• Zika Virus:
  • Mainly spread by mosquitoes in specific regions.
  • Many infected individuals remain asymptomatic, while symptoms include rash, fever, and joint pain.

As health officials prepare for Disease X and monitor the risk of these priority pathogens, the importance of early intervention and global cooperation becomes increasingly evident. The WHO plans to release an updated threat list during the first half of 2024, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of potential pandemics.