“Disease X” does not refer to a specific Disease, but rather a placeholder term used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to describe a hypothetical, yet-to-be-identified ‘infectious disease’ that they believe could pose a significant global health threat in the future. We are told that the concept of “Disease X” was introduced to emphasise the need for preparedness and research into novel and ‘potentially dangerous infectious diseases’.

This however should open up the mind to more questions – how are they prepare for something that doesn’t exist? How could the WHO be so sure that a next disease is around the corner? Under what circumstances are they able to come to such conclusions? Maybe we should take a closer look at the so-called ’emerging diseases’ – emerging from where and what?

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