Next Global Pandemic: Experts Say We Need to Prepare for ‘Disease X’

Dr Richard Hatchet, warned that even if “It looks like science fiction” there disease X is something for which “you have to prepare” well now it’s already whipping there Democratic Republic of Congo and his health authoritiesare fighting for it Do not leave your territory. Him too Executive Director of CEPI and collaborator of The telegraph writes an article in which he tells how the current Ebola epidemic in the country of the African continent killed 18 people —until now— in addition to pointing out how it is that this condition he came back stronger than ever, getting himself into serious trouble to the board of health of the region and the same World Health Organization (WHO).

Both bodies are doing their best to contain it, Well they fear he’s playing the next global pandemic.

Ebola is the new villain of this 2023

This kind of hemorrhagic fever came back stronger than ever and the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the support of World Health Organization (WHO), they rush to contain it in their area, as it is a deadly disease that spreads rapidly. This disease destroyed West Africa in 2014, event that deserves to be remembered in order to understand the threat implied by this emerging disease. Fortunately, after the experience gained with deal with this virus for many years, now human beings are able to stop it and with the vaccine, we can survive its terrible consequences which directly attack our health.

What if Ebola was a new pathogen? Let’s talk about disease X

Dr. Richard Hatchet wondered what would happen if ebola had not been studied in depth in the past and that instead, a pathogen for which there is no known cure and for which we would not have one known vaccine. It would simply threaten the life of thousands or even millions of people. In fact, its impact would generate chaos in various areas of human daily life, such as the world economy. “It’s not a science fiction thing. This is a scenario we have to prepare for. It’s disease X.”, says the specialist.

“And preparedness requires investment. Precisely because a serious international epidemic could be caused by a currently unknown pathogen, disease X was recently added to the list of WHO priority diseases, alongside diseases that we know only too well, such as Ebola, Zika and severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS”, detailed the executive director of CEPI and collaborator in The Telegraph.

we fight against beings “invisible”, because viruses are fought at a microscopic level

According to the specialist, in the world there are the plan list, who stands out Infectious diseases for which we miss medical countermeasures. The purpose of publishing this list is focus research efforts and development where they are most needed to improve preparation. By including the disease X, there WHO warned that emerging pathogens present a considerable risk. In fact, the only thing that could save us is developing vaccines and therapies for diseases, but this is only for known diseases, how can we protect the public against a sickness What is currently unknown? asked Richard Hatchett.

Real-time research and development is the solution

CEO of CEPI and collaborator of The Telegraph assured that vaccines and therapies will be part of the solution, but that we must have the capacity to carry out lots of research and follow the progress real time of the diseases, “especially in developing countries most at risk”, underline. For that WHO has helped to center the international efforts through its new mechanism and every time more efficient to answer to epidemics. Strong and sustained support, coupled with matching funding, will make us successful in this critical area, which requires all of our focus and is an urgent priority.

What are the antecedents that have struck us in the past for not being prepared?

Well, if you don’t focus on it properly, diseases they could hit us otherwise. when ebola whipped For West Africa in 2014everyone regretted not having prepared, so much the epidemic surprised by its intensity, its lethality and its contagion. The virus what caused the disease was discovered in 1976 and they had invested decades of work in the development of vaccines and therapeutics. This gave us the edge over the invisible enemy but even so, its containment proved to be an immense challenge. Finally they started several clinical trials and the incredible efficiency of one of vaccines, even if it was too late to change the course of the epidemic, because unfortunately he killed more than 11 thousand people.

“This tragedy happened with a disease we knew. Can we expect to do better against a virus or bacteria that we have never encountered before?” Asked Richard Hatchett.

The world becomes small when we are shaken by these global threats

CEO of CEPI and Telegraph contributor said he had worked in African communities affected by the Ebola, even in emergency rooms of the city of new York during the scare anthrax, also in operations centers emergency during peak of SARSas well as in the White House during the swine flu pandemic in the 2009. From your experience, Richard Hatchet believe the world is turning a small place when we are shaken by global threats, like the epidemics of infectious diseases that have hit the whole world.

This is why he says that if the reason for meeting these challenges is what will keep us alive how was the creation of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). This body was created early 2017 by the governments of Norway and India, there Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust And world economic forum represents a partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organizations, whose mission is finance and coordinate he vaccine development to protect the world of future epidemics. In fact, one way the CEPI will do is support the development of “platform technologies” it will speed up vaccine production against Pathogens new and unknown as the X disease.

“The idea with platform technologies is that the process of developing a new vaccine is worked out in advance, (ideally) accelerating its production for a new disease,” said CEPI’s chief executive and contributor. at the Telegraph.

According to, such technologies would give the world answer “just in time” who could quickly control a growing epidemic. And that’s exactly what it takes, from a virulent respiratory virus —which behaves like the flu— could reach to all major world capitals In 60 days. For example, The United Kingdom he has a extraordinary record contribution prepare for epidemics, perform a leadership role in response to ebola outbreak In West Africa, providing:

• Medical staff.
• Infectious disease experts.
• Treatment centers.
• Frontline Worker Training
• Military support, modeling and laboratory.

Given that the strong pharmaceutical sector of United Kingdom maintains world-renowned research institutions, scientific depth and expertise must play a leading role in combating the threat of disease X and other diseases of shot list —which brings together in a single writing the most dangerous evils—, both directly and through your support of international institutions.

“SARS, Avian Flu, Ebola, Zika, Plague, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Lassa. The list is familiar, but they were all once Disease X. What is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo right now reminds us that Epidemics are a current danger that requires focus, commitment and investment,” said Richard Hatchett.

He ended by saying that epidemic disease is a global threat that requires collective action. He pointed out that we can’t avoid Let ’em roll new pathogens, but together we can prevent the damage they cause. “Because if we know one thing, it’s that disease X, when it attacks, won’t respect borders.”

Pandemics and the Cost of a Global Epidemic

• H1N1 flu (1918)

  • 50 to 100 million dead
  • GDP losses of 3% in Australia, 15% in Canada, 17% in the United Kingdom and 11% in the United States.

• Sars (2003)

  • 774 deaths
  • Losses for the world economy between 52 and 2 billion dollars

• Ebola (2014)

  • More than 11,000 dead
  • GDP losses of between $2 billion and $8 billion in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
  • Losses to the world economy of 3 billion 500 million dollars

• Zika (2015-16)

  • 20 deaths
  • It is estimated that more than 3,000 babies will be born with birth defects.
  • Economic losses estimated between three and five billion dollars in Latin America and the Caribbean

With information from Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI and contributor to The Telegraph*