Disease X: Critical Ways to Prepare for the Mysterious Pandemic of the Future

Disease X is the name given by the World Health Organization (WHO) to diseases caused by an unknown but serious microbial threat. The term was coined specifically to encourage research into known threats such as Ebola and SARS, as well as possible future outbreaks.

The term "Disease X" was included in the WHO's 2017 list of priority pathogens for research, alongside known diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Ebola virus disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in 2019, is considered an example of "Disease X". This disease originated from a large reservoir of viruses that exist in nature and have the potential to infect humans. The WHO's approach to this disease involves recognizing that outbreaks may not always come from an identified source and that pathogens not currently known to cause disease in humans can also cause serious international outbreaks.

Disease X aims to accelerate the development of technologies such as vaccines, drug therapies and diagnostic tests that are being developed for potential future outbreaks or pandemics that require a rapid response. WHO's work in this area has become particularly important after the West African Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016. It took only 326 days from the publication of the genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine, and this rapid development owes much to the study of Disease X.

In conclusion, "Disease X" is not a specific disease, but a term used to prepare for unknown future outbreaks. This concept is part of a broader effort by WHO and other health organizations to ensure that they are ready for potential future threats.

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