What is Mystery 'Disease Here's what we know
The WHO panel will discuss 'Disease
At a time when the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has already sent the world into panic, the discovery of new health concerns only raises more alarm bells. Speaking of pandemic, a World Health Organization (WHO) panel will investigate the mysterious “Disease X” at the World Economic Forum -Davos 2024. It is a term coined by the WHO to refer to a hypothetical, unknown disease that could cause a future epidemic or pandemic. The purpose of using the term 'Disease
What is disease X?
Disease This term represents the concept of an unknown disease with the potential to cause widespread illness and death.
According to a report from Bloomberg, “In 2017, the World Health Organization added Disease Covid-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was an example of Disease X when it caused the pandemic in late 2019. The vast reservoir of viruses circulating in wildlife is seen as a likely source of more such diseases. This is due to their potential to transmit and infect other species, including humans, giving rise to an infection to which humans will have no immunity.”
The concept of Disease It reminds us that new infectious diseases can emerge unexpectedly, and global health organizations and governments must be ready to respond effectively.
Many emerging infectious diseases have zoonotic origins, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans. Examples include the H5N1 bird flu, the Ebola virus and the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Disease X could possibly develop in a similar way.
To be prepared for Disease X or any other future illness, continued research and surveillance are critical. This includes monitoring animal populations, identifying emerging pathogens, understanding their transmission dynamics and developing strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Disease X highlights the importance of global cooperation in tackling emerging diseases. International cooperation, data sharing and coordinated response efforts are essential to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of a future pandemic.
It is worth noting that Disease X is a hypothetical concept and not an actual disease that has been identified or discovered. The term is a reminder of the continued need to invest in public health infrastructure, research and preparedness to mitigate the impact of future infectious disease outbreaks.