The specter of a mysterious and potentially more lethal disease, dubbed ‘Disease X,’ looms large. Coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, Disease X represents an enigmatic and hypothetical pathogen capable of triggering a global health crisis.
As world leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, a pivotal discussion on Disease X takes center stage. The crux of the debate revolves around innovative measures required to fortify healthcare systems, prompted by recent WHO warnings that Disease X could unleash a calamity 20 times deadlier than the current coronavirus pandemic. Notable figures such as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, and Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, are scheduled to lend their expertise to the “Preparation for Disease X” session.
What is Disease X?
What exactly is Disease X, and how does it compare to COVID-19? Disease X, as per the WHO, is not a specific disease but rather a placeholder for any unknown or newly emerging infectious disease with the potential to threaten public health.
The gravity of Disease X lies in its unpredictability. Unlike specific diseases, it serves as a placeholder for an unknown pathogen, making detection and treatment challenging. This uncertainty is reminiscent of the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any delays in identification led to devastating consequences.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is actively engaged in a $3.5 billion strategy to develop rapid-response vaccination platforms within 100 days of detecting a potential pandemic.
The potential deadliness of Disease X is compounded by its unknown modes of transmission. While details remain elusive, it could spread through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, or even insect bites.
However, Disease X’s severity remains an open question. Factors such as available medical resources, public health measures, and overall population health play crucial roles. COVID-19 serves as a stark reminder, with higher mortality rates in older and immunocompromised individuals.
Although no reported cases of Disease X currently exist, the specter of an unknown pathogen causing a future pandemic demands proactive measures. Global health preparedness and response efforts must be intensified, encompassing strengthened healthcare systems, research and development for treatments and vaccines, and improved surveillance.
Disease X, listed among priority pathogens alongside familiar threats like COVID-19, Ebola, and SARS, underscores the importance of global readiness. Added to the list in 2018, Disease X signifies the unpredictable nature of emerging infectious diseases and the necessity for continuous research and collaboration.
As concerns escalate, healthcare professionals warn that Disease X could potentially rival the devastating Spanish Flu of 1918-1920, claiming up to 50 million lives globally. The WHO emphasizes the challenge of limited resources for disease research and development, urging the world to be prepared for this looming threat.
In essence, Disease X serves as a wake-up call, demanding a united front against potential global health crises, echoing the urgent need for collaboration, research, and preparedness in the face of the unknown.