- Recent Incident: An unclassified outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (December 2024) has claimed over 400 lives, sparking fears of Disease X.
- What is Disease X?: A hypothetical pathogen coined by the WHO in 2018, symbolizing unknown threats capable of triggering epidemics or pandemics.
- Purpose: A conceptual tool to prepare for unpredictable and potentially devastating outbreaks.
- Current Relevance: The Congo outbreak highlights the critical need for global preparedness against unknown health threats.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to enhance research, surveillance, and response systems for emerging diseases.
