Disease X represents a hypothetical, serious international epidemic caused by a pathogen unknown to cause human disease.
Understanding the nature of Disease X is crucial as it encapsulates the unknowns in infectious disease threats, reflecting
the need for adaptable, robust health systems ready to confront an array of pathogens that could emerge at any time.
What is Disease X Virus?Disease X represents a hypothetical, unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) included Disease X in its 2018 R&D Blueprint, acknowledging the potential for a previously
It implies that global health experts recognize the possibility of a new virus emerging from unknown origins with the capability
to inflict widespread illness. Therefore, Disease X is not a specific virus but a placeholder for a future, unforeseen pathogen that could pose significant risks to human health globally.
Initially, Disease X was a placeholder for a future, unforeseen pathogen of potential epidemic stature. The concept emerged from the WHO's R&D Blueprint,