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Disease X does not exist, at least not yet. That’s why health officials are taking steps to ensure the world is prepared for an unknown, deadly virus that could spark a new pandemic.
A hypothetical virus dubbed “Disease X” will bring world leaders to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week to discuss how to prevent the threat of another major pandemic.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was scheduled to host a seminar with other health officials in Davos on Wednesday to prepare to combat the potentially deadly virus.
The news sparked intense debate on social media in the days leading up to the seminar, with conspiracy theories spreading and warnings that measures comparable to shutdown orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic could be taken. There were also people.
But despite renewed interest in Disease X, the theoretical pathogen is not a new topic for WHO. Even before the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world, United Nations agencies had spent years researching and preparing for the next wave of the deadly disease.
Here’s what you need to know about Disease X and how world leaders are preparing for the next pandemic.
What is disease X?
Disease X doesn’t exist – at least, it doesn’t exist yet.
Rather, the theoretical term “represents the knowledge that serious international epidemics can be caused by pathogens not currently known to cause disease in humans,” WHO says. “X” stands for “unexpected,” but that doesn’t mean leaders are concerned about ensuring the world is prepared if a deadly virus strikes. there is not.
In 2018, the agency added the term to its list of priority diseases and pathogens for research and development. The plan also includes known causes of death, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Ebola, and includes “effective tests, vaccines and vaccines” that can save lives during major health crises, WHO said. The aim is to ensure rapid availability of medicines.
How are global health officials planning for the next pandemic?
In 2022, WHO will begin a global scientific process to update the list of potentially deadly pathogens that require investment in research to develop effective vaccines, tests, and treatments. did.
This process included scientific and public health criteria, but also considered possible socio-economic impacts and access to life-saving measures.
New approaches focus not only on individual pathogens but also on entire classes of viruses and bacteria. More than 200 scientists from 53 countries participated in a study to identify 30 virus families, one core group of bacteria, and the so-called “Pathogen X,” which the WHO fears could cause another serious global pandemic. Independently evaluated.
To track and manage the emerging viral threat, WHO and other health experts have stepped up deadly disease detection and surveillance efforts, stepped up research, and begun ramping up clinical trials, the agency said.
What threat does Disease X pose?
The inclusion of Disease Masu.
The WHO was prompted to develop the blueprint several years ago after the Ebola outbreak killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
The WHO, in collaboration with governments, public and private scientific institutions in many countries, was able to create the “first ever fully effective vaccine against Ebola”, which was tested within a year. Former WHO Director-General Marie-Paul Chieny said. – General, said earlier.
Michael Ryan, director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, said in 2022 that such measures were “critical to rapid and effective outbreak and pandemic responses”, and that preparedness meant that “we were able to respond in record time”. “We were able to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus infection,” he added. ”
Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Please contact elagatta@gannett.com.
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