Disease X: Protect Yourself Against Mystery Killer

Thinking that there are eight viruses that could cause a global epidemic, then you are wrong. According to World Health Organization, “Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease.”

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Rift Valley fever (RVF), Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease, Nipah and henipaviral diseases, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Zika, and now Disease X are the nine viruses that will bring illness to people.

Right now, you might be panicking about the dilemma that this virus could bring. Which are one of the other conditions, illness, and disease that a human can get. However, these key points about the said epidemic might bring a slight calm in your life. Here are the reasons why you need to put your trust in the World Health Organization.

WHO prepares for it

John-Arne Rottingen, chief executive of the Research Council of Norway and a scientific adviser to the WHO committee, stated in his interview with Telegraph, “It may seem strange to be adding an ‘X’ but the point is to make sure we prepare and plan flexibly in terms of vaccines and diagnostic tests.”

In addition to the statement, Rottingen said, “We want to see ‘plug and play’ platforms developed which will work for any, or a wide number of diseases; systems that will allow us to create countermeasures at speed.”

WHO continues to spread awareness

As long as the disease has been known by the World Health Organization, expect that they are working to prevent this worldwide pandemic. As answered by Rottingen in the same interview, “It is vital that we are aware and prepare.”

New-found virus is Disease X because ‘X’ stands for unexpected, says Dr. Anthony Fauci. Dr. Fauci is the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. “If you develop an understanding of the commonalities of those, you can respond more rapidly,” he added in his interview with CNN.

WHO improves diagnostic and vaccines

World Health Organization (WHO) is now doing what they could to stop Disease X from spreading. They are ensuring that the capacity of local health systems is stronger and much better. In terms of observing the diseases, they have made sure to improve it.

Stated on the official website of WHO, “There are concerted efforts to address antimicrobial resistance through specific international initiatives. The possibility was not excluded that, in the future, a resistant pathogen might emerge and appropriately be prioritized.”

People need to be informed and understand disease X first before they start to have themselves vaccinated. It is also vital that they know the roots and causes of the diseases. They should also avoid from spreading the inaccurate news about the said disease. Let’s help each other to spread awareness than rumors. Let’s educate each other instead of scaring them.

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