As COVID-19 has become a recurring and familiar health concern, healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom are now preparing for a potential new pandemic referred to as "Disease X." These experts are warning that this novel virus has the potential to be as devastating as the Spanish Flu of 1918-1920.
Health experts are raising concerns about "Disease X" following the term's introduction by the World Health Organization. They are cautioning that this potential upcoming pandemic could result in 20 times more fatalities compared to the coronavirus. In 2020, the world witnessed the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which tragically claimed the lives of over 2.5 million people worldwide.
In a meeting held on November 18, 2022, the World Health Organization announced that more than 300 scientists would assess evidence related to over 25 virus families and bacteria, including the mysterious "Disease X." The term "Disease X" is used to indicate an unknown pathogen that could potentially trigger a significant international epidemic. These experts will propose a list of priority pathogens that require further research and investment. This selection process will consider scientific and public health factors, as well as criteria related to socioeconomic impact, access, and equity.
But wait, Disease X appears even earlier than actual COVID-19.
— Googlezhang (@Googlezhang_nyc) September 25, 2023
On March 15, 2018. WEF was already taking about WHO is worrying Disease X.
So, X means something for all mankind who still has breathing.
What is your thought? pic.twitter.com/n7DsLtnWwX
Disease X Can Lead To 50 Million Fatalities According to experts' estimations, Disease X has the potential to result in approximately 50 million fatalities. Kate Bingham underscored this by drawing a comparison to the 1918-19 flu pandemic, which claimed the lives of at least 50 million individuals globally, double the number of casualties in World War I. During an interview with the Daily Mail, she expressed her concern, stating, "Today, we could anticipate a similar death toll from one of the many viruses that already exist."
Kate Bingham emphasized the necessity for extensive preparation for large-scale vaccination campaigns, with a focus on swift delivery of vaccines. She also pointed out that while scientists have identified 25 virus families comprising thousands of individual viruses, there remains a vast undiscovered reservoir of millions of viruses, any of which could potentially evolve into pandemics.
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, she noted that despite the significant impact that it had, causing over 20 million deaths worldwide, a majority of infected individuals ultimately recovered. She then painted a grim picture of Disease X, likening it to measles in terms of infectiousness while possessing a fatality rate as high as Ebola's 67%. She warned that somewhere in the world, Disease X could be spreading, and it's only a matter of time before someone falls ill.
