Lassa fever, others may trigger next pandemic, says WHO

The World Health Organisation has listed more than 30 pathogens that are likely to cause the next pandemic in the African region.

This was revealed in its latest report titled, ‘Pathogens prioritisation: A scientific framework for epidemic and pandemic research preparedness.’

Among the viruses and bacteria are Lassa fever, Mpox, Ebola, dengue fever, respiratory virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and Chikungunya virus, among others.

Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and the annual peak of Lassa fever cases is typically observed during the dry season (December–April). Thus, the number of infections is expected to rise further until the end of the dry season.

Mpox outbreaks are caused by different viruses called clades.

“Clade 1b has been confirmed in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, while the clade in Burundi is still being analysed.

At the same time, cases of clade 1a have been reported this year in DR Congo, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo, while clade 2 has been reported in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Recently, the WHO prequalified TAK-003 as a new vaccine for dengue amidst a surge in mosquito-borne viral infections across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

The prioritisation work underpinning the report involved over 200 scientists from more than 50 countries, who evaluated the science and evidence on 28 virus families and one core group of bacteria, encompassing 1652 pathogens.

The epidemic and pandemic risk was determined by considering available information on transmission patterns, virulence, and availability of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments.

The list was compiled by 200 scientists from more than 50 countries after reviewing a shortlist of 1,652 pathogens.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organisation however, called on researchers and governments to strengthen and accelerate global research to prepare for the next pandemic.

The Chief Executive Officer of CEPI, Dr Richard Hatchett said, “WHO’s scientific framework for epidemic and pandemic research preparedness is a vital shift in how the world approaches countermeasure development, and one that is strongly supported by CEPI.”