China says the risk of a "disease X" pandemic is on the rise

China has announced the growing risk of a "disease X" pandemic, which is likely to become the next global threat after the coronavirus. This was stated by the head of the State Administration for Disease Control and Prevention of China Wang Hesheng, the Chinese government reports.

The official urged to prepare for the worst-case scenario and pointed out that the country's authorities are improving the mechanism for switching between ordinary and emergency response measures, improving the multi-channel monitoring and early warning system, and have also started investing in new research on infectious diseases.

Wang pointed out that this yet-to-be-launched epidemic, caused by a hypothetical unknown pathogen, has already caused great concern worldwide because of its likely deadly nature, rapid spread, ability to mutate and great uncertainty. However, he noted that climate change and expanding human activities will contribute to the disease's rapid spread.

He also noted that China, in the event of a threat, is ready to co-operate with all international institutions. He also noted that the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China has achieved remarkable results.

Disease X is a collective term. This is the name given to a pathogen that could hypothetically cause a new pandemic. Specialists are discussing a range of possible pathogens, including pandemic influenza and avian flu. Medics believe that the disease "X", for which the world is preparing for a pandemic and which can become 20 times more deadly than the coronavirus.