Potential for a new pandemic? WHO updates list of priority pathogens for scientific research

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a new report highlighting which pathogens should be the focus of scientific research. The goal is to prioritize viruses and bacteria that pose a high risk of causing a new pandemic. The initiative involves an extensive analysis of 1,652 pathogens by a group of 200 scientists from 50 countries.

The study looked at highly contagious and deadly pathogens capable of causing serious disease in humans. The absence of effective vaccines or treatments was also a critical criterion for inclusion on the list. Pathogens classified as having “pandemic potential” include coronavirus, smallpox virus, and certain types of influenza A, such as H5.

Priority Pathogens: Know the Details

Pathogens identified as priorities by the World Health Organization include viruses and bacteria. These pathogens are considered global threats because of their ability to cause epidemics. Learn about the leading candidates:

• virus: Coronavirus, smallpox, common smallpox, influenza A types (such as H5), dengue virus, Zika and chikungunya.
• bacteriaIt causes dysentery, diarrhea, pneumonia, cholera, bubonic, septic and pneumonic epidemics.

Why did WHO update the list of pathogens?

The WHO update aims to improve preparedness for future outbreaks and pandemics. The entity emphasizes the importance of a strong scientific approach to dealing with public health emergencies of international concern (PHEICs). The idea is to focus not only on individual pathogens, but also on viral and bacterial families.

• Scientific frameworkFocus on viruses and bacteria of global risk.
• research and developmentThe need for investments on an international scale.
• innovation:Developing new vaccines and treatments.

How does WHO define a pandemic?

A pandemic is declared when an outbreak spreads globally, affecting multiple regions around the world. For the World Health Organization, it is important to ascertain cases of the disease on all continents before declaring a pandemic. A recent example is COVID-19, which became a pandemic in 2020.

From Outbreak to Pandemic: Understanding the Differences

Disease spread can occur at several levels:

1. Outbreak: A localized increase in the incidence of a disease in a particular area.
2. Endemic: A disease that occurs frequently in an area, usually seasonally.
3. Epidemic: Outbreaks that spread across multiple areas within a city or state.
4. pandemic: An epidemic that reaches a global scale.

What do you expect in the future?

The next pandemic is not a matter of “if,” but “when.” History shows that preparation is crucial to minimizing impact. Global efforts in scientific research and investments in technological development are essential to meet new challenges. The importance of combining science and public policy was emphasized by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a recent event in Rio de Janeiro.