Part 1/9:
Understanding Disease X and the Blueprint of Priority Diseases
In recent years, a term has captured public attention and media headlines: Disease X. Promising the possibility of a "massive global pandemic," headlines have hyped Disease X as the next devastating outbreak lurking just around the corner. However, there's a critical nuance often missing from these sensational stories—it turns out that Disease X doesn't actually exist as a specific pathogen. Instead, it functions as a placeholder for potential future threats, emphasizing the unpredictability and preparedness gaps in global health.