What is Disease X; can this potential threat be deadlier than Covid pandemic? | Health – Hindustan Times
The website discusses the looming threat of “Disease X,” which health experts warn could be deadlier than COVID-19, potentially claiming over 50 million lives. Dame Kate Bingham, former chair of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce, highlights the severity of Disease X, emphasizing that it could be exponentially more deadly than COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Disease X as a global health challenge, suggesting that it may already be in motion.
Comparisons are drawn with the devastating 1918-1919 flu pandemic, which killed over 50 million people, emphasizing the potential devastation Disease X could cause. Scientists are closely monitoring 25 virus families, some of which have the potential to mutate into severe pandemics. However, the surveillance doesn’t account for viruses that may jump from animals to humans, posing an additional threat.
In response, UK scientists are actively working on vaccine development efforts, with a focus on zoonotic pathogens – viruses that can infect humans from animals. This research involves over 200 scientists and is conducted at the high-security Porton Down laboratory complex in Wiltshire. Pathogens such as bird flu, monkeypox, and hantavirus are under scrutiny.
In summary, “Disease X” represents a potential global threat that could surpass the lethality of COVID-19. Health experts and organizations are taking it seriously and actively working on preparedness measures, including vaccine development, to mitigate its potential impact on public health.
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