In a stark warning, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called upon the world to brace itself for the emergence of a pathogen that could prove deadlier than the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
During the 76th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered the urgent message.
“The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains. And the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains,” he declared.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that pandemics are not the sole threats humanity faces, highlighting the need for an effective architecture for health emergency preparedness and response that encompasses emergencies of all kinds, given the world’s current state of overlapping and converging crises.
This warning comes a few weeks after the WHO chief declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that the forthcoming High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness and Response provides a crucial opportunity for leaders to chart a clear path towards a more resilient future.
While Dr. Tedros did not explicitly mention the name of the anticipated disease, he called upon individuals and nations to be ready to respond decisively, collectively, and equitably when the next pandemic inevitably arises.
The call for preparedness seeks to avoid the unpreparedness and devastation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 has called upon the world to brace itself for the emergence of a pathogen that could prove deadlier than the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.){kind=link}