Disease X Could Bring Next Pandemic, Kill 50 Million People, Says Expert

Disease X Could Bring Next Pandemic, Kill 50 Million People, Says Expert:

Kate Bingham further said that scientists have identified 25 virus families, but there could be more than one million undiscovered variants.

A UK health expert has said that Disease X, the name given by World Health Organisation (WHO), can cause another pandemic deadlier than Covid-19. In an interview to Daily Mail, Kate Bingham, who served as the chair of the UK's Vaccine Taskforce from May to December 2020, said the new virus could have a similar impact to the devastating Spanish Flu of 1919-1920. According to WHO, Disease X could be a new agent - a virus, a bacterium or fungus - without any known treatments.

Expressing her concern, Ms Bingham said, "Let me put it this way: the 1918-19 flu pandemic killed at least 50 million people worldwide, twice as many as were killed in World War I. Today, we could expect a similar death toll from one of the many viruses that already exist."

"Disease X" is a hypothetical term used to describe a potential unknown future pathogen that could cause a pandemic. While experts emphasize the importance of preparedness, predicting its impact, including the number of casualties, remains speculative. Preparedness and early detection are key in preventing and mitigating potential pandemics.

Disease X Pandemic: What is it? All you need to know about it is here!

Global health specialists have issued a warning, suggesting that COVID-19 could just be a sign of a more catastrophic Disease X Pandemic to come, according to the Daily Mail. The head of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce, Dame Kate Bingham, expressed gratitude that COVID-19 was not more deadly and gave a dire warning that the next pandemic might kill at least 50 million people.

Disease X: A hidden but inevitable creeping danger:

the Editor—An old adage says, “Prevention is better than cure.” Nothing exemplifies this idea better than “Disease X.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease.”

Richard Hatchett, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), said about Disease X, “It might sound like science fiction, but Disease X is something we must prepare for.”

 In a list of diseases that the WHO considers high priority in terms of research and development, Disease X occupies a spot among diseases such as Ebola, Zika, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).1 Unexpected outbreaks of infectious disease (Disease X) have repeatedly rocked the medical confidence and have taken the medical world by surprise.

What is the disease responsible for the current global pandemic?

Why are pandemics more likely now?

Several factors do play role for the increase in frequency and coverage of pandemics. A huge increase in globalization and connectivity has meant that disease agents can spread from one side of the world to another within a few hours.

What is the greatest pandemic killer?

Cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox, and influenza are some of the most brutal killers in human history. And outbreaks of these diseases across international borders, are properly defined as pandemic, especially smallpox, which throughout history, has killed between 300-500 million people in its 12,000 year existence.

Is there a new virus in 2023?

CDC is tracking a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called BA.2.86 and working to better understand its potential impact on public health. This update follows CDC's initial risk assessment summary on August 23, 2023. The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available in mid-September.

What disease kills the most humans?

Heart diseases were the most common cause, responsible for a third of all deaths globally. Cancers were in second, causing almost one-in-five deaths. Taken together, heart diseases and cancers are the cause of every second death.

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Top 10 most dangerous viruses in the world

Marburg virus.

Ebola

Hantavirus

Bird flu virus

Lassa virus

Junin virus

The Crimea-Congo fever

The Machupo virus

Kyasanur Forest Virus (KFD)

Dengue fever