Global leaders are set to gather at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Switzerland to discuss the preparation for the next pandemic. One of the key items on the agenda is the risk posed by ‘Disease X,’ a hypothetical new pandemic that experts warn could be even more deadly than the recent coronavirus outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been sounding the alarm about Disease X since 2017, referring to an unknown pathogen that could potentially cause a serious international epidemic.
During the WEF’s Radio Davos podcast last year, author Kate Kelland highlighted the importance of extensive research into already-known virus families in order to be prepared for future outbreaks. Scientists have made significant progress in understanding coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, due to decades of research on related viruses. By conducting similar research on all 25 viral families known to have the potential to cause diseases in humans, valuable knowledge can be gained ahead of time.
Preparedness efforts have already shown promising results with diseases like monkeypox, where a vaccine was available before the 2022 outbreak because it belongs to the same virus family as smallpox. However, experts caution that Disease X could be much more devastating, potentially causing 20 times as many fatalities as Covid-19.
To address the challenges posed by Disease X and future pandemics, the upcoming event ‘Preparing for Disease X’ will feature public speakers such as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, Brazilian Minister of Health Nisia Trindade Lima, and Michel Demaré, chair of the board at AstraZeneca. The goal is to bring together global leaders and scientists to discuss research frameworks and develop strategies to eliminate future pandemics within 100 days.
In November 2022, the WHO convened over 300 scientists to identify over 25 virus families and bacteria that could potentially trigger another pandemic. The list included familiar threats like Ebola, Covid-19, and SARS, as well as lesser-known diseases like lassa fever and nipah and henipaviral diseases. Additionally, there was a focus on an unknown pathogen that could give rise to Disease X, further highlighting the need for preparedness.
The discussions at the WEF summit aim to ensure that the global community is equipped with the necessary knowledge, research capabilities, and vaccines to effectively respond to future pandemics. The implications of Disease X and the potential for catastrophic loss of life make it imperative to prioritize proactive measures to prevent and mitigate future outbreaks. By enhancing global collaboration and investing in research, the goal is to be better prepared and equipped to handle the next pandemic swiftly and effectively.
In conclusion, the global community is coming together to address the risks associated with Disease X and prepare for the next pandemic. The discussion at the upcoming World Economic Forum meeting will focus on research frameworks, knowledge sharing, and collaborative strategies to eliminate future pandemics within a shorter timeframe. With the lessons learned from previous outbreaks and the collective efforts of scientists, world leaders aim to be better prepared and capable of averting catastrophic loss of life in the face of future global health emergencies.
