The list of diseases representing the greatest threat to world public health has been updated. These are 24 infectious diseases that, some of them, could trigger a new pandemic.
Authorities, worries of the diseases of the future. Archive
These include already known diseases, through which humanity has passed and for which there is treatment. However, on the new list there are also conditions without treatment and which could cause massive damage reports BBC News.
According to the British health security agency (UKHSA), the avian flu is on the list of the most dangerous diseases, along with those widespread. The latter, the authorities are afraid, could become much more common with the increase of temperatures as a result of climatic changes.
The updating of the list with potential “enemies” of the world public health has been updated in order to prevent a possible pandemic. It’s a prevention attempt. To this end, scientists will perform new tests, design new treatments – vaccines or medicines.
There is no top of dangerous diseases. All can kill
The scientific director of UKHSA, Professor Isabel Oliver, said there is no ranking in this list, because threats are constantly changing. This is why the list will be updated at least once a year.
“When Covid appeared, it took too long to adjust our answer to a different threat. This was one of the reasons why we came to isolation.”said Professor Mark Woolhouse, director of Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh. “From Pandemic, there have been many initiatives to better understand the diversity of pandemic threats with which the UK and the world may face in the coming years. The prioritization exercise of the pathogens of the UKHSA is a welcome contribution to this global effort,” added the specialist.
Measol, the next pandemic
On the list of the most dangerous infectious diseases are, besides Covid and Avian influenza, a family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae, which includes measles. “It is the type of pandemic threat that worries public health agencies around the world.”Professor Woolhouse said.
It warns that a new measles-like virus could spread rapidly by becoming impossible to control even by the strictest quarantine, “Which would turn it into a much more serious threat than Covid ”, considers British specialists. “It would also be considerably more fatal and, unlike Covid, it would be a major threat to children,” Professor Woolhouse said.
Bacteria also appear on the list, including gonorrhea, which has a high resistance to antibiotics.
List of 24 Diseases Threatening World Health
- Ebola (and similar viruses, such as Marburg);
- Flaviviridae (which includes Dengue, Zika and hepatitis C);
- Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever;
- Influenza (nonseason, including avian);
- Human metapneumovirus (HMPV);
- Enterobacteriaceae (such as E. Coli and Yersinia Pestis, which causes the plague);
- Moraxelaceae (which causes pulmonary, urine and blood flow);
