Disease X Can Kill 50 Million People: Doctor Shares Why We Should Prepare For A Pandemic Deadlier Than COVID

The medical community has once again sounded alarm bells about a possible pandemic on the horizon that may be twenty times deadlier than COVID-19. In a world littered with viscous pathogens, this alert is issued not to warn of a new pathogenic spread, but to equip the world to be better prepared for a deadly outbreak soon. Simply put, the name Disease X is a placeholder for an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious international epidemic, according to the World Health Organisation.

Sounds confusing right? Worry not, because the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr J Anish Anand, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, to help us understand everything you need to know about Disease X. 

What Is Disease X?

“Disease X is a name coined by WHO in February 2018 to represent a hypothetical, unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic. The WHO adopted the placeholder name to mark a list of priority diseases to ensure that their planning was sufficiently flexible to adapt to any unknown pathogen,” shared Dr Anand.

To simplify it, “Disease X could be a new virus, bacterium, or fungus that has never been seen before in humans. It could also be a known pathogen that has mutated in a way that makes it more transmissible or deadly. Disease X could emerge from anywhere in the world, and it could spread rapidly due to global travel and trade,” added Dr Anand.

Also Read: What Is Disease X And What Its Presence On WHO’s Priority List Mean

This is a welcome step by WHO, especially considering the recent outbreaks of Ebola, Nipah Virus, Zika Virus, Scrub Typhus, and as it goes without saying, COVID-19. After medieval pandemics of measles, smallpox, Spanish fever, and many other infections, COVID-19 was an eye-opener that proved that our modern science and advanced technologies are equally susceptible to an invasion of microscopic pathogens. It is reassuring to see that the health watchdogs of the world are complying with this notion and acknowledging the need for preparedness and prevention over symptom management. 

To prepare for a pandemic that could kill more than 50 million people, and cause a pandemic 20 times deadlier than COVID-19, WHO has released a blueprint list of priority diseases that have the potential to cause a severe international epidemic. Dr Anand highlighted that the list is updated regularly to reflect the latest scientific evidence and intelligence. The current list includes:

• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Ebola
• Lassa Fever
• Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever
• MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome–Related Coronavirus)
• Nipah Virus
• Rift Valley Fever
• SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Coronavirus)
• Zika Virus

Measures Taken Against Disease X

Dame Kate Bingham, Chair, Vaccine Taskforce, UK, proclaimed that the Disease X pandemic might already be on its way and that COVID-19 was nowhere as lethal as this next pandemic. To prepare for the same, WHO has announced that they are working with governments and public health experts around the world. “This includes developing research and development plans for vaccines and treatments, as well as strengthening surveillance and response systems,” shared Dr Anand. He listed a set of reasons that explain the need for this heightened vigilance:

• Firstly, disease X is a hypothetical pathogen that we know nothing about. That means we have no existing vaccines or treatments for it, and it could spread very quickly before we can develop effective countermeasures.
• Second, the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, with people travelling and trading across borders more than ever before. This makes it easier for diseases to spread rapidly around the globe.
• Third, climate change is creating new habitats for mosquitoes and other vectors that can transmit diseases to humans. This is increasing the risk of new and emerging diseases emerging and spreading. 
• Fourth, the overuse of antibiotics is leading to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This means that we may not have effective treatments for some infections in the future.
• Lastly, the world is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our healthcare systems are stretched, and many people are exhausted and demoralised. This could make it more difficult to respond to a new pandemic effectively.

Also Read: Nipah Virus Is Deadlier Than COVID-19: ICMR Director General

Concluding their advisory the WHO shared some comments by Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO, who informed, “This list of priority pathogens has become a reference point for the research community on where to focus energies to manage the next threat. It is developed together with experts in the field and is the agreed direction for where we—as a global research community—need to invest energy and funds to develop tests, treatments and vaccines. “

To sum it up, Disease X is just a hypothetical threat, for now! So keep that in mind before embarking on a friendly discussion of a new virus on the block that can incite fear and anxiety among your peers, or trigger anyone’s past wounds due to the COVID pandemic. However, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of a new and emerging disease, and the WHO's blueprint list of priority diseases and vigilant efforts to contain and prevent their spread helps to ensure that we are ready to respond effectively. The least we can do, is perform our part to strengthen public health by being aware.