GENEVA: The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned about the impending threat of ‘Disease X,’ urging countries to unite and sign a pandemic treaty.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tedros emphasized the need for global cooperation to prepare for the potential outbreak of a disease that he predicts could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
Health experts at the forum echoed the concerns, warning that ‘Disease X’ could have the potential to claim up to 50 million lives, underscoring the urgency for countries to proactively research and implement preemptive measures.
Potential Effects of Disease X
While ‘Disease X’ is not a specific illness but a term referring to a potentially unknown virus with devastating effects similar to COVID-19, WHO recognizes the importance of preparing for unforeseen health crises. In 2018, WHO added ‘Disease X’ to its list of top-priority research areas, aiming to stay well-informed and ready before the outbreak of another virus.
Tedros disclosed that WHO is already taking steps to prepare for future outbreaks, establishing a pandemic fund and a “technology transfer hub” in South Africa. The hub is intended to facilitate local vaccine production and address vaccine inequity between high and low-income countries.
