World leaders are gathering at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 17 to discuss concerns about the potential for a future pandemic that could cause 20 times more fatalities than COVID-19. Known as "Disease X," this hypothetical international epidemic caused by an unknown pathogen is a significant focus of the event.
Addressing "Disease X"
The World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled "Disease X" as a priority disease and will lead a session entitled "Preparing for Disease X" at the forum. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, will be heading the panel to discuss novel efforts needed to prepare healthcare systems for the multiple challenges that could arise if we are to be ready for a much more deadly pandemic.
Global awareness campaigning
The WHO has emphasized the importance of raising awareness about "Disease X" alongside other priority diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola virus, Zika virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The organization has prioritized research and development in an emergency context for these diseases and aims to enable early cross-cutting R&D preparedness that is also relevant for an unknown Disease X.
Expert insights
The session at Davos will feature prominent figures including Brazilian health minister Nisia Trindade Lima, AstraZeneca's chair of the board Michel Demaré, Royal Philips CEO Roy Jakobs, and Indian hospital chain Apollo's executive vice-chairperson Preetha Reddy. The panel aims to address the potential unknowns associated with "Disease X" and the need for global cooperation to prepare for future pandemics.
Lessons learned from Covid-19
Dr. Thomas Russo, MD, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, emphasized that the concept of "Disease X" was one of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the importance of continued surveillance, studies, and improved biosecurity across the world to address potential future pandemics.
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