Recent news has highlighted the emergence of Disease X as a topic of discussion among world leaders and health organizations. The World Health Organization (WHO) included Disease X in its list of blueprint priority diseases in 2018, recognizing the potential threat of an unknown pathogen causing a future epidemic. This decision was made in response to the increasing risk of global pandemics and the need for preparedness.
The concept of Disease X serves as a placeholder name for a hypothetical disease that could pose a significant public health threat in the future. The inclusion of Disease X in the WHO's priority list aims to emphasize the importance of readiness and response strategies for potential new pathogens that may emerge and spread rapidly across borders. Discussions about Disease X at events like the World Economic Forum in Davos underscore the global concern and collaborative efforts needed to address the challenges posed by unknown infectious diseases.