The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a future pandemic, dubbed 'Disease X', could be even more lethal than Covid-19, and that the world remains unprepared. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the remarks at the World Government Summit in Dubai, cautioning that the cycle of 'panic and neglect' is repeating.
Dr Tedros noted that six years ago he had expressed concern about pandemic preparedness, and less than two years later Covid-19 struck. He said millions have died and the world has failed to learn the necessary lessons. 'If we fail to learn those lessons, we will pay dearly next time – and there will be a next time,' he added.
Disease X is a hypothetical pathogen for which humanity is not equipped. Dr Tedros said it could be caused by an influenza virus, a new coronavirus, or an unknown pathogen. Covid-19 was a Disease X, but another will emerge. The WHO has previously warned that Disease X could kill up to 20 times more people than Covid-19, which killed an estimated 7 million globally.
The warning comes amid recent outbreaks, including a human case of bubonic plague in Oregon, the first in nearly a decade. Additionally, the first death from Alaskapox, a recently discovered viral disease, was recorded. Alaskapox is a double-stranded DNA virus believed to circulate mainly among mammals, with only seven confirmed human cases since 2015.
