Disease X Pandemic: An Unknown Potential Threat

• Written by Farina Khan

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Is disease X pandemic a next emergency? An obvious question due to the hype that is being created by the public health emergencies and governments. Well, No need to panic! The disease X pandemic doesn’t exist yet. But as rightly stated, ‘Prevention is better than cure’.

Indeed, it is something for which governments across the globe have already started preparing after Richard Hatchett, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) talked about it. But worry not, In this blog, we will take you through everything about disease X virus, its symptoms, and precautions to deal with it.

Disease X Pandemic: An Introduction

As defined by the World Health Organisation(WHO), Disease X virus refers to a serious international pandemic pathogen that has not yet been characterized. Disease X virus was added to the shortlist of blueprint priority disease in February 2018.

Since the disease X virus is added to the list of WHO, it is a priority for CEPI’s research and development investments. In nutshell, it is a hypothetical that does not exist for real. However, it doesn’t mean that it is not real. It is a very real and growing threat to human health and something the world must prepare to respond.

What are Disease X Virus Symptoms?

Since disease X does not represent a specific virus yet, its symptoms can’t be defined. However, it has been estimated that the disease X virus can be caused by a pathogen X. And based on historical outbreaks, disease X virus symptoms might include:

• Fever, chills, and fatigue
• Respiratory issues like coughing and breathing
• Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or vomiting
• Neurological symptoms like headache, confusion, or seizures

Causes of Disease X Virus

The WHO highlights the growing risk of disease X virus that can emerge much like what happened in COVID 19. The causes of disease X virus may include:

• Zoonotic spillovers where pathogens spread from animals to human beings.
• Antimicrobial resistance because of overuse of antibiotics leading to drug-resistant strains.
• Climate change that enables new diseases to thrive.
• Globalisation because of the movement of human beings from one place to another.

Why Does Disease X Matters?

It was quite visible in the case of COVID 19, how the world was unprepared and faced sudden health crises. Disease X virus serves as a warning and call for action. Its importance lies in pushing government, researchers, and health organisations to:

• Strengthen early detection system
• Develop flexible vaccines and treatments
• Improve public health infrastructure
• Invest in research to potential threats

Are We Prepared for Disease X Virus?

This is one of the obvious questions of course after COVID19 and the unpreparedness the world has seen at that time. And with this, it is an ongoing challenge to deal with the disease. Here is how the world should get ready:

• Rapid advances in mRNA vaccines, flexible antiviral drugs, and diagnostic tools.
• Development of enhanced global monitoring systems for early detection of outbreaks.
• WHO’s blueprint for research on priority diseases and international partnerships for rapid response.
• Encouraging hygiene practices, vaccinations, and health preparedness.

>> Also Read: Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases in Kerala

Summing Up!

The talk of disease X virus serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the need for proactive measures. It is not a cause for panic but a call to action for sure. And also high time for individuals, governments, and organisations to build resilience against the unknown.

But remember, being prepared doesn't just mean vaccines or masks but also financial security if hospitalisation happens. Health insurance cover do the trick! We offer specifically tailored and designed health insurance plans to help you face these kinds of medical emergencies and unpredictabilities. Whether it is about hospitalisation costs or diagnostic tests or pre-post hospitalisation care, Care Health Insurance will get you covered!

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.