Social media is buzzing as the World Economic Forum prepares to discuss hypothetical preparations for a deadlier disease called “Disease X.”
Next Wednesday, the group will host a meeting titled “Preparing for Disease X” with international speakers from organizations like the World Health Organization, AstraZeneca, and Philips.
The discussion aims to explore “novel efforts needed to prepare healthcare systems for the multiple challenges ahead.”
“Disease X” was coined by scientists to drive the development of countermeasures, such as vaccines and tests, for potential future outbreaks.
In November 2022, the WHO brought together a group of over 300 experts to delve into this unidentified pathogen, envisioning a mortality rate 20 times higher than that of Covid-19.
The World Economic Forum meeting triggered a heated social media debate, especially among right-wing users who feared preparations for the unknown disease could lead to Covid-19-like shutdown measures.
Over on X, they released a disclaimer emphasizing that Disease X “is not an actual disease” but a hypothetical one that “could cause a serious international epidemic in the future.”
According to WHO Health Emergencies Program executive director Michael Ryan, focusing on viruses and pathogens for research and countermeasure development is “essential for a fast and effective epidemic and pandemic response.”
Not only for Disease X, but also for a list of viruses and pathogens, including Covid-19, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Nipah, Rift Valley fever, and Zika.
According to Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Disease X “is something we must prepare for.”
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