Why in News?
A new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reported in December 2024, has claimed over 400 lives.
Its cause remains unclassified, raising concerns that it could be an instance of Disease X.
What is Disease X?
Disease X is not a specific illness but a placeholder for a yet-to-be-identified pathogen that could cause a global health crisis.
The WHO introduced the term in 2018 to encourage global preparedness for unforeseen outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of planning for the unpredictable.
It was conceptualized following the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, which revealed gaps in global epidemic preparedness.
WHO's Priority Pathogen List
The WHO’s priority list identifies infectious diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential, especially those lacking vaccines or treatments.
The current list includes Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus disease, Lassa fever, Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Zika virus, and Disease X
This list helps direct global research, funding, and health resources toward combating high-risk diseases and preventing future outbreaks.
The Challenges of Predicting Disease X
Most emerging diseases, including Disease X, are expected to come from animals (zoonotic diseases), triggered by human encroachment on wildlife habitats, deforestation, and agriculture.
Predicting the exact nature and timing of Disease X is challenging due to the large number of potential pathogens and their unpredictable emergence.
Climate change is altering disease patterns, pushing pathogens into new regions and affecting their transmission dynamics.
To prepare for Disease X, global health systems need robust surveillance to detect outbreaks early and respond effectively.
Need for Global Collaboration
Given the unpredictable nature of Disease X, a global, unified response is crucial.
Pandemics do not respect national borders, and fragmented efforts will not suffice.
Investment in health infrastructure, particularly in low-income countries, and international collaboration are key to combating future outbreaks.
WHO's Pandemic Treaty and frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol aim to ensure fair access to medical resources and research, fostering global solidarity in the fight against emerging pathogens.
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