Explained! Four-Point Strategy To Fight Disease X

India intends to broaden the capacity of its genomic monitoring group INSACOG, with a goal to avert the emergence of Disease X, as reported by the co-chair of the organization to News18.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has coined the term Disease X for a hypothetical situation where a yet-to-be-identified pathogen leads to a more devastating pandemic than ever before. This theoretical exercise is intended to facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy to combat potential future hazards.

In simpler words, Dr NK Arora, co-chair of INSACOG, stated that before the outbreak, COVID-19 or 'Disease X was an unknown disease to people.

Dr Arora, who serves as the head of the National Technical Advisory Group of Immunization (NTAGI), informed News18 that there are four fundamental strategies, which are critical to be implemented not just in India, but also on a global scale.

He emphasized the crucial need for maintaining rigorous monitoring. He mentioned the necessity to widen the genetic tracking of disease-causing agents through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).

The Government of India set up INSACOG, a nationwide consortium of Genome Sequencing Laboratories (RGSLs), on December 30, 2020, with the aim of proliferating the whole genome sequencing of the SARS-COV-2 virus in the country, thereby helping to comprehend the virus's spread and evolution.

Strategy To Combat Disease X

One approach includes increasing the nation's genomic surveillance, while devising a list of potential disease-causing agents serves as another method to prevent Disease X. The Department of Biotechnology, in collaboration with other departments, has already begun developing this list and plans, he stated.

The group from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), together with Bangalore BioInnovation Centre, Department of Biotechnology, and Karnataka Government, has detected 32 probable pathogens.

Arora stated that India, like during the Covid-19 pandemic, should be capable of producing vaccines as quickly as possible if necessary.

Arora's final strategy involves continuing the search for effective medications, particularly antiviral drugs.

"As we have seen, there are no effective therapies and drugs available. India being a pharmacy to the world and home to top pharma companies across the globe, must take up this goal to find effective drugs, including anti-virals."

In the last few weeks, what triggered more conversations and concerns among people was the cautionary statement from UK-based expert Kate Bingham, who said that the next pandemic could take 50 million lives. She also said that the next pandemic might already be on its way and could be more lethal than Covid-19.