WHO Updates List of Pathogens That Could Trigger the Next Pandemic

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WHO Updates List of Pathogens That Could Trigger the Next Pandemic

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WHO Updates List of Pathogens That Could Trigger the Next Pandemic

As globalization and urbanization continue to accelerate, the patterns and speed at which infectious diseases spread are changing.

The cross-species transmission of pathogens, the development of drug resistance, and the emergence of new pathogens pose significant threats to global public health.

Historically, we have witnessed several pandemics caused by various pathogens, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the COVID-19 pandemic that began in late 2019. These events underscore the critical importance of early identification, monitoring, and preparedness for potential pandemic pathogens.

The World Health Organization (WHO), as the leading global public health authority, has been working to identify pathogens that could potentially cause global health emergencies.

Recently, the WHO updated its Priority Pathogens list, which identifies the most dangerous viruses and bacteria. The list now includes over 30 pathogens, such as the monkeypox virus, influenza A virus, and dengue virus, all of which could potentially trigger future public health crises [1].

This update aims to guide global research efforts, focusing resources on developing effective treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools for these pathogens.

Key Updates:

• Expanded Pathogen List: Over 200 scientists spent approximately two years evaluating evidence for 1,652 pathogen species. The updated list identifies high-risk pathogens across various virus and bacteria families, expanding its scope. The criteria for selecting pathogens included high transmissibility, pathogenicity, and limited access to vaccines and treatments.

• Newly Added Pathogens: The updated WHO Priority Pathogens list includes several newly identified viruses and bacteria. Among these are coronaviruses from the Sarbecovirus group, including SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, and Merbecovirus group, which includes the virus responsible for MERS. Additionally, the list features the monkeypox virus, which caused a global outbreak in 2022, and the smallpox virus, which, despite being eradicated in 1980, could resurface due to reduced vaccination coverage.

  The updated list also includes certain influenza A viruses, such as the H5 subtype responsible for outbreaks in cattle in the United States, and five bacteria that cause diseases like cholera, plague, dysentery, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Furthermore, two rodent viruses have been added due to their potential to jump to humans and cause human-to-human transmission. These additions reflect the new challenges facing global public health and emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and research on these potential threats.

• Impact of Climate Change and Urbanization: The report highlights how climate change and urbanization may increase the risk of these viruses spreading to humans.

• Prototype Pathogen List: In addition to the Priority Pathogens list, researchers have created a “Prototype Pathogens” list. These pathogens serve as model species for basic scientific research and the development of therapies and vaccines. This initiative may encourage more research into less-studied viruses and bacteria.

Expert Opinions:

• Malik Peiris, a virologist from the University of Hong Kong, noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no vaccines against any coronaviruses. Developing vaccines for a family of viruses would boost the scientific community’s confidence in responding to major public health emergencies. This principle also applies to treatments, as “many antiviral drugs work across entire virus families.”

• Forrester-Soto pointed out that while the list of pathogens is reasonable based on current knowledge, some pathogens may never cause pandemics, and others not yet considered may become significant in the future. “We almost never predict the next emerging pathogen.”

Clinical and Research Implications: The WHO’s updated Priority Pathogens list highlights the global focus on emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Clinicians and healthcare providers need to remain vigilant, enhancing their monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to respond swiftly and effectively to potential outbreaks.

Researchers must increase efforts to study these pathogens, including developing vaccines, researching drugs, and exploring disease mechanisms, to fill knowledge gaps and enhance global public health preparedness.

Furthermore, the update underscores the need for in-depth research into factors like cross-species transmission of pathogens, drug resistance development, and the impact of climate change to predict and prevent future health threats.

The creation of the “Prototype Pathogens” list also encourages more extensive basic scientific research and development of treatment methods for lesser-known viruses and bacteria, which could provide broad strategies for preventing and controlling related virus groups.

We look forward to more high-quality research that will lead to improved clinical strategies for patients.

WHO Updates List of Pathogens That Could Trigger the Next Pandemic

References:

• WHO Pathogens Prioritization Framework
• https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02513-3

(source:internet, reference only)

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Important Note: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.