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The Pathogens That Could Cause the Next Pandemic

More than 30 pathogens have been identified as potential threats

The number of pathogens that could trigger the next pandemic has grown to more than 30, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, which was published in the journal Nature, identified 1652 pathogens that could potentially cause an outbreak in humans. Of these, 30 were considered to be the most likely to cause a pandemic.

The most concerning pathogens include influenza A virus, dengue virus, and coronavirus. These viruses have all caused pandemics in the past, and they are all capable of causing severe illness and death.

“The world is facing a growing threat from emerging infectious diseases,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director-general. “We need to be prepared for the next pandemic, and that means investing in research and development of new vaccines and treatments.” The report also called for increased surveillance of animal populations, as many of the pathogens that could cause pandemics originate in animals.