Disease X is supposed to be caused by a “pathogen X” that is expected to be a zoonosis, disease, or infection that can be transmitted between humans and animals, most likely an RNA virus, wrote Richard Hatchett, chief executive officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease. Based on the announcement of the WHO in 2020, the Wuhan pneumonia caused by an unknown etiology should be recognized as the first Disease X.
“As the world responds to the challenge of a rapidly evolving virus, the need to deliver new, lifesaving tools has never been more urgent,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, in a press release in January 2022.