Highly Infectious less known Diseases to Watch in 2025? Disease X: The Unknown Lurks Formulated by Dr.T.V. Rao MD
Highly Infectious less known Diseases to Watch in 2025? Disease X: The Unknown Lurks
Formulated by Dr.T.V. Rao MD
Less known little understood Infectious diseases continue to be agenda of the Science and Medicine and Disease X: The Unknown Lurks
The COVID-19 pandemic will, slowly, and with some hiccups and many tragedies, pass into memory as happened with Small pox This coronavirus may disappear and later recur, continue endemically under vaccine control, or simply attenuate and vanish. The economy and healthcare systems will return to a new normal, with available health care system and economic resources It is our imagination if some think is conquered others appears as happened with Small Pox, Plage and many other infectious diseases
“Prevention is better than cure.” Nothing exemplifies this idea better than “Disease X.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease.
The term “Disease X” represents an unpredictable pathogen that could spark the next pandemic. Though hypothetical, its potential impact is a stark reminder of the importance of global health readiness. A recent unidentified illness in the Congo, initially labelled Disease X, turned out to be a severe form of malaria. However, the incident highlighted the fragility of current systems in identifying and managing emerging threats. Strengthening health infrastructure and investing in research are necessary steps to prepare for the unexpected.
Disease X is a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to represent a hypothetical, unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic. It's essentially a placeholder name for a potential infectious disease that we haven't encountered yet but could pose a significant global health threat
The concept of Disease X was introduced to ensure that global health systems are prepared for unexpected outbreaks. It encourages research and development of broad-spectrum vaccines and treatments that could be quickly adapted to new pathogens.
Similarly, while emerging zoonotic pathogens are a threat that needs to be monitored, the possibility of an engineered pandemic pathogen also cannot be ignored.9 The release of such pathogens, either through laboratory accidents or as an act of bioterrorism, might lead to a disastrous Disease X as well and has been remarked as a global catastrophic risk.
While Disease X has not been identified yet, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of emerging infectious diseases. The WHO continues to monitor and update their list of priority pathogens to guide research and investment in global health security.
领英推荐
A successful approach requires a quantitative theory of how people weigh therisks of infections against the benefits of engaging in social interactions that contribute to thespread of infectious diseases. The resulting model should also account for the interrelated yet distinct effects of public policies and private behaviour on the spread of the disease. Is there a specific infectious disease or aspect you're particularly concern
Hypothetical or true While the coronavirus pandemic continues to haunt humans, there is an "unknown" threat lurking deep in the forests, miles away from a city, in some corner of the world, waiting to trigger the "next pandemic". It is "Disease X" and everything about it is unknown. It is not technically a "disease" but is an area of research for scientists studying possibilities of the next pandemic. Let us dig deeper into this mysterious disease.
The world of medicine and Science probing and working on emerging challenges in Infectious disease in human morbidity and mortality.
No conflict of Interest
References and Resources please look to
Advances in infectious disease
WHO CDC NIH
Article formulated by
Dr.T.V.Rao MD Professor of Microbiology ,Freelance Medical reporter
Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network
1 个月very good
Especialista en Epidemiología / Control de Infecciones / Salud Pública / Calidad de la Atención.
1 个月Dr. T.V. Rao's text addresses a crucial topic in public health: preparedness for "Disease X," a hypothetical yet plausible pathogen capable of triggering a future pandemic. While the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually subside, history teaches us that infectious diseases persist and evolve. "Disease X" is not a specific disease but a concept that emphasizes the need to anticipate the unknown. The text rightly highlights several key points: the importance of prevention over cure, the fragility of healthcare systems in the face of emerging threats, the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and the importance of investing in research, including the development of broad-spectrum treatments and vaccines. It also mentions the possibility of engineered pathogens, a risk that must not be overlooked.
Co-Inventor of Enmetazobactam, an accomplished microbiologist, a biopharmaceutical professional (Drug Discovery Research, QA/QC), contributor to COVAXIN development, an animal activist and environmentalist.
1 个月Great advice