New pandemic? Disease X

​Dame Kate Bingham, Chair of the ​UK's ​Vaccine Taskforce, has warned that the next pandemic could potentially claim the lives of 50 million people. This new pandemic, given the name ​Disease X by the ​World Health Organization (WHO), is believed to have the potential to be 20 times more deadly than Covid-19. Dame Kate Bingham emphasized the urgency for global readiness, stating that mass vaccination campaigns would be required, with doses administered in record time. Expressing her concerns, she painted a vivid picture, comparing the hypothetical Disease X to the contagiousness of measles and the fatality rate of Ebola (67 percent), emphasizing the need for preparedness as it replicates somewhere in the world and could eventually affect individuals.

According to ​Bingham, while scientists have identified 25 virus families encompassing thousands of individual viruses, there remain millions of undiscovered viruses, as reported by the ​Daily Mail. While Covid-19 and its variants continue to impact public health and cause recurring issues, healthcare professionals are now preparing for a potential new pandemic known as Disease X. Experts in the healthcare field have issued a warning that this novel virus has the potential to be as devastating as the Spanish Flu. ​Dr. Neha Rastogi, an infectious disease consultant at ​Fortis Memorial Research Institute, ​Gurugram, states that Disease X refers to a pathogen, whether known or potentially unknown, that has the ability to cause widespread and severe pandemics resulting in mass human disease, according to the ​World Health Organization (WHO). So, what exactly is Disease X? According to Dr. Rastogi, Disease X is believed to potentially be caused by a 'pathogen X'—likely a zoonotic disease, such as an RNA virus—that emerges in an environment where the epidemiological triad (environment, host, and transmission) favors sustained transmission. These emerging or re-emerging pathogens can be labeled as X, and they pose a significant threat that necessitates continuous and active surveillance.

There are speculative theories regarding the potentiality of ​Syndrome X as a engineered pandemic pathogen. A catastrophic ​Disease X, which may arise from accidental laboratory incidents or deliberate ​bioterrorism acts, has the potential to pose a significant ​global risk, states the expert.

In terms of prevention, it is crucial to implement ​uniform international guidelines for controlling bioterrorism. Immediate and strict travel restrictions, along with thorough airport screening, should be enforced to curb the cross-border spread of pathogen X. Additionally, a collaborative approach involving global leaders, scientists, epidemiologists, and infectious disease experts is necessary to investigate, control, and eradicate Disease X. Widespread testing, surveillance, and meticulous contact tracing are potential and effective measures for timely containment of outbreak scenarios, according to Dr. Rastogi.

"There is a need for focused efforts to accelerate access to and the rapid availability of necessary medical resources such as test kits, vaccines, and first aid during a pandemic. It is essential to maintain a continuous research focus on prevention, including the development and implementation of vaccines, in order to effectively address the severe and adverse consequences of Disease X," she suggests.

"Adopting a One Health approach, which involves bridging institutional gaps, prioritizing and categorizing high-risk pathogens, and emphasizing mitigation strategies for emerging and re-emerging diseases, is crucial to prevent global catastrophes caused by potential Disease X," concludes the expert.