TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a crucial report titled the “Pathogens Prioritization” for 2024, highlighting over 30 pathogens that have the potential to trigger the next pandemic.
EXPLANATION:
- This report is a pivotal resource for governments and health organizations worldwide, guiding their efforts to prepare for and prevent future epidemics and pandemics.
New Additions to the List
- The 2024 report marks the inclusion of several new pathogens on the WHO’s list.
- Dengue, influenza A, and mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) have been added, reflecting their rising threat levels.
- These pathogens join a list that already includes well-known threats like Nipah virus and Ebola.
- Both remain classified as high risk for causing a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Persistent Threats
- Even though the global focus has shifted away from Covid-19, the threat posed by related pathogens persists.
- The Sarbecovirus subgenus, which includes SARS-CoV-2, is now classified as ‘high’ on the priority list due to its potential to cause significant international health crises.
- This subgenus, along with the Merbecovirus subgenus (which includes MERS-CoV), underscores the continuing vigilance needed against coronaviruses.
- The inclusion of entire subgenera, rather than individual viruses like SARS and MERS as in previous reports, indicates a broader approach to pandemic preparedness.
Regional Concerns: Nipah, Zika, and Dengue in India
- The report also highlights ongoing regional concerns, particularly in India.
- The Nipah virus, which recently claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Kerala, remains a significant threat.
- Similarly, the Zika virus, with over 70 reported cases in Pune, Maharashtra, has prompted increased surveillance and concern.
- Dengue, which has been a longstanding issue in India, is now officially recognized as a priority pathogen, necessitating enhanced monitoring and control measures.
Broader Scope: Bacterial Threats and Surveillance Needs
- In addition to viral pathogens, the WHO report also addresses bacterial threats.
- New entries include bacteria responsible for diseases such as plague, cholera, pneumonia, dysentery, and non-typhoidal salmonella, which causes severe diarrheal diseases.
- The inclusion of these bacterial pathogens highlights the ongoing challenge posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing concern globally.
- The report emphasizes the importance of surveillance to track the spread, virulence, transmissibility, and treatment resistance of these pathogens.
Regional Priorities: Southeast Asia’s Pathogen Threats
- The report notes specific priorities for the Southeast Asia region, where pathogens like Vibrio cholerae (cholera), Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery), and Henipavirus (Nipah) are endemic.
- The report calls for focused resources to address diseases with high mortality and pandemic potential, such as cholera, Nipah, dengue, and Zika.
- It also stresses the importance of epidemic prediction through robust surveillance for diseases causing significant morbidity, like chikungunya and shigella.
The Family Approach and Prototype Pathogens
- A novel concept introduced in the 2024 report is the “Family approach” and the identification of “Prototype pathogens.”
- The Family approach emphasizes research on entire pathogen families rather than individual pathogens, recognizing the genetic similarities within families that could allow for the repurposing of existing treatments and vaccines.
- This strategy aims to enhance global preparedness for emerging pathogens, zoonotic transmissions, and unknown threats like ‘Pathogen X.’
- Prototype pathogens serve as models for fundamental research, helping to develop medical countermeasures that can be applied to other pathogens within the same family.
Global Health Preparedness
- The WHO report underscores the dynamic nature of global health threats, driven by the potential emergence of new pathogens and the evolving threat levels of existing ones.
- It calls for increased investment in research, development, and innovation on an international scale to ensure that the world is prepared to tackle future pandemics effectively.
- The report is a stark reminder that while some pathogens are currently under control, the landscape of global health is constantly evolving, and vigilance is necessary to prevent the next pandemic.