The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to sign a pandemic treaty in preparation for the possibility of a future outbreak that could be 20 times deadlier than Covid-19. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO, expressed concern that member states may not meet the May deadline for the agreement, which could have significant consequences for future generations. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for increased cooperation between countries to suppress outbreaks before they become global crises.
Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted the unpreparedness of the world for the Covid-19 pandemic and stressed the importance of being proactive in dealing with future disease outbreaks. The WHO is currently preparing for a hypothetical pathogen known as Disease X, which is considered to be as much of a risk as Ebola, SARS, or Zika virus. The proposed pandemic treaty and updates to existing rules on pandemics aim to strengthen global defenses against new pathogens. According to WHO data, the Covid-19 pandemic has already claimed the lives of over 7 million people.
The pandemic treaty, also known as the “Pandemic Preparedness Treaty,” would facilitate the sharing of alerts, data, and research between countries. This collaboration would help rapidly identify and respond to emerging disease threats, as well as expedite the development and distribution of vaccines. Negotiations over the text of the agreement are currently underway, with a revised version expected to be available in May for potential signing.
In addition to the pandemic treaty, the WHO has taken other measures to enhance global preparedness. These include the establishment of an early warning center in Berlin in 2021 and an mRNA vaccine center in South Africa in April of the same year. However, the organization has faced criticism for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, with accusations of delayed action and inadequate vaccine access for poorer countries.
The identity of the next Disease X, or the virus that could trigger the next pandemic, remains unknown. However, scientists have long warned about the potential threat of bird flu due to the risk of recombination, where a human becomes co-infected with avian flu and human flu. Zoonotic transmission, where an animal virus or bacteria jumps to humans, is also a possibility. Some experts have even speculated that Disease X could be caused by a biological mutation, an accident, or a deliberate act of terrorism.
Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for preparedness and learning from past mistakes. He highlighted the lives lost during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic due to unpreparedness and insufficient healthcare capacity. Three virus experts interviewed by DailyMail.com suggested that the next pandemic would most likely be caused by a respiratory virus spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes. They identified a farm worker being infected with an animal-borne disease that mutates as a potential scenario for Disease X. However, they did not rule out the possibility of a lab leak as the origin of the next pandemic.
The experts also warned that the next outbreak could be even more devastating than Covid-19, citing the 1918 influenza outbreak that claimed an estimated 50 million lives globally. They identified another coronavirus and avian influenza as top contenders for triggering the next pandemic.
In conclusion, the WHO’s call for countries to sign a pandemic treaty reflects the organization’s concern about the potential severity of future outbreaks. The treaty aims to enhance global cooperation and preparedness in dealing with new pathogens. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial to learn from past mistakes and take proactive measures to prevent and mitigate future pandemics.
