The term “Disease X,” which emerged several years ago, is used by scientists to encourage the development of countermeasures, including vaccines and tests, that can be used in the event of a future outbreak.
The World Economic Forum in Davos, which will be held from January 15 to 19, will discuss the possible outbreak of a pandemic of a hypothetical disease called “Disease X,” according to the event’s website.
The announcement of the upcoming meeting to discuss the upcoming possible pandemic states that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the unknown “Disease X” could cause 20 times more deaths than the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, the forum, which will feature presentations by international experts, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will discuss what new efforts are needed to prepare health systems for the many challenges. The discussion of the hypothetical disease is scheduled for January 17.
A few years ago, scientists gave the name “Disease X” to a hypothetical unknown threat to humanity. The term is used by scientists to encourage the development of countermeasures, including vaccines and tests that can be used in the event of a future outbreak of a new disease, Forbes writes.
Back in late 2022, the WHO created a team of more than 300 scientists to study an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious pandemic that could be several dozen times more deadly than the coronavirus pandemic.
WHO officials say that research into new viruses and pathogens is necessary to respond quickly and effectively to the emergence of a new pandemic.
Scientists believe that the hypothetical outbreak of “Disease X” is comparable to the emergence of other deadly infectious diseases that have taken the medical world by surprise.
The letter X in the name of the disease emphasizes its unexpected and unpredictable nature.
