Disease X: What is it? Do we need to panic?

Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, is urging nations to endorse the pandemic treaty proposed by the health organization. This initiative aims to facilitate global readiness for potential health threats, particularly emphasizing the need to prepare for the hypothetical scenario known as "Disease X."

While Disease X currently has no existence, it remains a potential threat that may emerge in the future. Coined by the World Health Organization in 2017, Disease X serves as a term for an as-yet-unknown infectious condition capable of triggering an epidemic or, if it spans multiple countries, a pandemic.

This term encompasses both a newly identified pathogen and any known pathogen that gains newfound pandemic potential. Under this broader definition, covid-19 stands as the initial instance of Disease X. However, the possibility of encountering another such threat in the future cannot be ruled out.


WHO last week appealed for $1.5 billion in funding to respond to the health needs of millions of people caught up in dozens of humanitarian crises around the globe.
"We aim to reach some 87 million people with life-saving humanitarian assistance this year," said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"To do this, we need support totalling $1.5 billion, and we need this funding to arrive as early as possible and with as much flexibility as possible... A reactive approach is not enough."

Tedros said an estimated 166 million people would require health assistance around the world this year, including in the occupied Palestinian territories, Ukraine, Haiti and Sudan.

FAQs

Q1. What is Disease X?
A1. This term encompasses both a newly identified pathogen and any known pathogen that gains newfound pandemic potential. Under this broader definition, covid-19 stands as the initial instance of Disease X. However, the possibility of encountering another such threat in the future cannot be ruled out.

Q2. Who is WHO chief?
A2. Tedros Ghebreyesus is Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).