WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has appealed to member countries to endorse the health organization’s pandemic treaty, emphasizing the need to be ready for a potential outbreak of "Disease X." During an event at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos on January 17, Ghebreyesus expressed his hope that nations would come to a pandemic agreement by May of this year to effectively address the looming threat posed by Disease X.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Disease X as a theoretical "placeholder" virus that could potentially trigger the next pandemic, and there are concerns that it might already be in existence and en route. According to scientists, Disease X has the potential to be 20 times more lethal than Covid-19. This virus was included in the WHO’s list of pathogens for research in 2017 due to its potential to cause a "serious international epidemic," as outlined in a 2022 WHO press statement.
In response to inquiries about preparations for future pandemics, Ghebreyesus highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the establishment of a pandemic fund designed for preparedness. He also addressed the issue of vaccine equity, citing efforts such as the mRNA technology transfer hub in South Africa to enhance local production.
Speaking on the significance of a pandemic agreement, Ghebreyesus underscored the need to consolidate experiences, challenges, and solutions into a unified framework. He emphasized the importance of converting lessons learned into a comprehensive pandemic agreement to safeguard the world for future generations, stressing that this collective effort is crucial for the well-being of our children and grandchildren.
