"Disease X": The Looming Threat and the Need for Vigilance

"Disease X": Everything you need to Know

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), recently issued a warning at a World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva about an emerging and highly dangerous virus called 'Disease X.' This announcement comes as the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused immense loss of life worldwide, is nearing its conclusion.

During the discussion, Tedros emphasized the importance of being prepared as a collective in order to effectively combat the potential outbreak of another epidemic that could unleash a devastating disease and claim numerous lives. He cautioned that such a situation could arise unexpectedly, underscoring the need for proactive readiness and response measures.

What is Disease X?

'Disease X' is a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to represent a hypothetical and as-yet-unknown illness that may arise from a human infection. It serves as a placeholder phrase to refer to a disease that has not been identified through medical research. The significance of 'Disease X' lies in the fact that it has the potential to develop into a severe epidemic in the future.

The WHO first introduced the concept of 'Disease X' in 2018 as a way to highlight the need for preparedness against unforeseen and emerging diseases. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, it effectively replaced 'Disease X' as the focus of global attention and response efforts.

It is important to note that once a specific epidemic is identified and named, the term 'Disease X' will be replaced by the actual name of the illness. The purpose of using 'Disease X' is to draw attention to the possibility of future outbreaks and the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared.

Is Disease X harmful?

The WHO chief has already warned that Disease X is expected to emerge as a highly dangerous illness in the future, emphasizing the need for people to remain vigilant and prioritize their health.

According to experts, the next Disease X is likely to be zoonotic, similar to previous outbreaks such as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Covid-19, which originated from animals. However, it is currently impossible to accurately predict the specific nature of Disease X at this stage.