The danger of 'Disease X': the possible trigger for the next catastrophic pandemic

As society adapts to the new normal after the pandemicof Covid-19, health experts and the scientific community are preparing to face future serious outbreaks or pandemics.

Although it is not known for sure what the next disease will be, scientists estimate that there are approximately 1.67 million of unknown viruses in mammals and birds, half of which have the potential to spread to humans humans.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) tentatively designated this future and unknown threat as “Disease X”.

This designation underscores the need to be prepared to face any challenge that global health may present, seeking effective prevention, detection and response strategies.

Shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists study possible outbreaks

The designation of “Disease X” by the World Health Organization (WHO) was made to represent the possibility of a serious international epidemic caused by an unknown pathogen that has not yet caused disease in humans.

This categorization was a precaution in the face of uncertainty about what the next global threat would be.

Shortly after this designation, the world was surprised by the emergence of Covid-19, which until then fell into this category without further details.

The emergence of Covid-19 as the first disease identified within this classification underscores the importance of being vigilant and prepared to face future threats to global health.

Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, highlights the need for creativity and vigilance to track and anticipate future outbreaks.

He points out that nature is constantly generating new viruses, and the “Disease X” designation encourages us to think innovatively about the development of vaccines, therapies and drugs that can tackle not only known agents but also future pandemic pathogens and emerging.

It is therefore believed that the next Disease X is also zoonotic, transmitted from animals to humans, as most emerging infectious diseases have this origin.

Known examples of diseases transmitted from animals to humans are HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Covid-19 and rabies.

These diseases highlight the importance of monitoring and understanding the interface between humans and animals to prevent future outbreaks and respond effectively to global health threats.

Zoonotic viruses remain pathogens of great concern for future diseases with pandemic potential. Even those that are already known to have a specific source can mutate and evolve into new and menacing forms.

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