WHO engaged in identifying such a virus, which can give birth to an epidemic like Corona; All eyes on Disease X

Geneva. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is updating a list of primary disease-causing bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that could cause future outbreaks or pandemics. These viruses have been kept under strict surveillance as a measure in case of any epidemic.

The first list of such bacteria was published by WHO in 2017 and the last exercise to prepare the list was done in 2018. The current list includes COVID-19, Crimean-Kong hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease, Lassa fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Nipah and Henipaviral diseases, Rift Valley fever, Zika and disease X are included.

Disease X is included in the list to denote an unknown bacterium or virus that could cause a serious international pandemic. WHO is calling on more than 300 scientists who will study and further research on 25 virus families and bacteria including Disease X.

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Tags: Coronavirus, WHO