Learning from the coronavirus pandemic, the WHO is working on finding out pathogens that could cause future pandemics. Here’s more on the happenings.
WHO in the search for future pandemic culprits
On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed it is launching a worldwide scientific effort for updating its list of priority pathogens. They believe these agents have the potential to cause future pandemics. COVID-19 wreaked the everyday lives of many and impacted several more over the ‘long covid’. The WHO is attempting to accelerate the preparation by investing in research and development for treatment, vaccines, and tests.
“Starting with a meeting held last Friday, 18 November, WHO is convening over 300 scientists who will consider the evidence on over 25 virus families and bacteria, as well as ‘Disease X’,” stated the WHO. Additionally, it stated that experts will recommend the priority pathogens which need more research. The list of priority pathogens was first published in 2017. However, the last exercise for prioritization was done in 2018.
What is Disease X?
In its recent statement, the health body revealed consideration of “Disease X”. Disease X is an unknown pathogen capable of causing a serious international epidemic. “Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease,” stated the WHO website.
At present, other than “Disease X,” the priority list contains COVID-19, Lassa fever, MERS-CoV, SARS, Ebola virus disease, and Marburg virus disease. Additionally, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, rift valley fever, Zika, Nisha, and henipaviral disease are also on the list. The WHO’s overall process will include public health and scientific criteria. Additionally, thru will also focus on areas related to access, socioeconomic impact, and equity. The effort is expected to help increase preparedness for future pandemics and have a baseline protocol and treatment ready. (https://woodlees.com/)