Disease X Unveiled: Dr. Venkat Ramesh, Infectious Disease Expert dispels myths and clears doubts

Disease X is a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to represent a hypothetical, yet-to-be-identified pathogen with pandemic potential. While it doesn't refer to a specific disease, it serves as a placeholder for the next emerging infectious disease that could pose a global threat.

The concept of Disease X highlights the unpredictability of infectious diseases and the need for preparedness, research, and surveillance to address future health challenges. In a world where pathogens constantly evolve and cross species barriers, understanding and monitoring Disease X scenarios is crucial for safeguarding public health on a global scale.

Busting myths about Disease X

Recently Disease X has been in headlines after UK medical experts claimed it is going to affect people way more than COVID. Speaking with editorji, Dr. Venkat Ramesh, Infectious Disease Physician, Apollo Hyderabad who cleared some doubts and busted myths.

What is Disease X?

Disease X is a hypothetical disease and is a fictitious entity which does not really exist. It is perhaps the worst case scenario that one can imagine for a particular disease. It is thought that this pathogen would cause a greater number of deaths and casualties than COVID and can lead to more long-term consequences than COVID and have far reaching economic and financial consequences for the entire world than COVID did. But we just do not know what this disease is. That is why it has been labeled Disease X.

What do we know about this disease?

We do not know what will cause such a disease. What we do know is that COVID is perhaps a benchmark to which we are going to compare this. And what is hypothesized is that it is going to be much worse than COVID in terms of all the effects.

Who is at risk the most?

When it comes to any infectious disease, people in certain age groups might be at much higher risk, like elderly people, or those with medical comorbidities such as diabetes or blood pressure or heart disease. Those who are immunosuppressed and those who are at the extremes of age also could be at risk.

What preventions should people take?

Even though it is a hypothetical scenario, I would suggest that people pay close attention to their lifestyle, reduce their blood sugar, maintain optimal weight, stop smoking and exercise and live a healthy lifestyle that will not just prevent the existing diseases. But if there was a hypothetical disease, it's most likely going to affect those who are unwell or at extremes of age.

Should people be worried about it?

I don't think there is anything one needs to be alarmed about. I'm sure that it will pass quite quickly as it is an unknown entity. That is why it's known as Disease X. We've had 22 pandemics in the last 100 years, one was the 1918 flu pandemic and then in late 2019, COVID started.
So it's very possible that we have another pandemic, but we are unsure how devastating it's going to be. We all hope that we don’t have a worse scenario as compared to COVID and we all lead healthier lives.

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