Although this disease has not yet emerged, new human vaccine trials have begun.
Dangerous pathogens originating from animals may evolve to infect humans. (Illustrative photo: AFP).
On August 7, Sky News reported that British scientists have developed a vaccine for a new dangerous pandemic, referred to as “Disease X” in the future.
Following Covid-19, researchers believe that dangerous pathogens originating from animals – including avian influenza, monkeypox, and hantavirus – could evolve to infect humans.
This research is being conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) at the Porton Down laboratory complex. The UK health agency has decided to expand the Vaccine Assessment and Development Center at Porton Down since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, 200 scientists are developing a new vaccine to prevent the transmission of viruses from animals to humans.
“What we are trying to do here is to ensure that we are ready to deal with a new Disease X, a new pathogen”, said Professor Dame Jenny Harries of UKHSA to Sky News.
The research team at Porton Down has developed a vaccine against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever – an infectious disease caused by ticks with a mortality rate of up to 30%.
Early-stage clinical trials have commenced, and 24 volunteers will be vaccinated in the near future.
Other pathogens currently under investigation include avian influenza, chickenpox, and hantavirus – a family of viruses spread by rodents.
As the Covid-19 pandemic subsides over the past two years, many countries have expanded their vaccine research and disease control infrastructures. In the United States, the White House announced the establishment of a permanent pandemic response agency last month. Similar to UKHSA, this agency is also tasked with developing “the next health countermeasures” for diseases transmitted from animals to humans.
