Specialists in infectious diseases are worried about possible pandemics in the future, as revealed by a study recently presented at the ESCMID Global Congress. A startling front-runner was influenza, according to the VACCELERATE Consortium poll, which included 187 specialists from 57 different nations.
In terms of potential for spreading to other countries, the study indicates that influenza may be a bigger hazard than the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still a serious global health problem. The top disease of worry, according to experts, is influenza, followed by the fictitious “Disease X,” which stands in for an unidentified but potentially devastating pathogen. The top five viruses were SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), SARS-CoV (the virus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak), and Ebola.
There was more to the ranking than just lethality. Factors like as transmissibility, the possibility of mutations that could circumvent current vaccinations, and the history of previous epidemics were taken into account in the scoring system.
There are other reasons for influenza’s high ranking. Coughs and sneezes are common ways for this extremely contagious respiratory virus to spread. Furthermore, influenza viruses are well known for their quick mutation rate, which produces new strains every year. The severity of these strains can vary widely, with some seasons seeing extensive outbreaks and others having lesser flu activity.
Co-author of the paper Dr. Gaston Salmanton-García emphasizes the constant danger of influenza: “Every winter brings with it a new influenza season.” The virus has plenty of opportunities to mutate and maybe develop into a pandemic variant that can cause widespread disease and fatalities because of its continuous circulation.
The deadly effects of highly contagious respiratory viruses have been brought home sharply by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The severity of the sickness has been considerably decreased by COVID-19 vaccinations, although influenza vaccination rates frequently fall short of ideal levels, putting a sizable section of the population at risk.
The importance of ongoing influenza surveillance and vaccine development is highlighted by the study’s findings. It is imperative to continue developing universal influenza vaccinations that provide greater protection against a larger variety of viruses. A crucial public health tactic is continuing to maintain high immunization rates, especially for high-risk populations like children and the elderly.
It is a depressing reminder of the unidentified dangers that could arise that “Disease X” is among the top ranks. Scientists keep a close eye out for newly discovered infectious diseases, but as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, new infections can arise out of nowhere.
