Deadly disease-causing organisms from pathogen families that include bird flu, plague andEbolapose a threat to health in the UK and should be prioritised for research, government experts have said.The first tool of its kind from the UKHealthSecurity Agency (UKHSA) lists 24 types of viruses and bacteria where a lack of vaccines, tests and treatment, changes due to the climate crisis or growing drug resistance pose a biosecurity risk.The pathogen families on the list cause many diseases not currently seen in the UK. However, climate change could change how and where they spread, said Dr Isabel Oliver, UKHSA’s chief scientific officer, while a large outbreak overseas could have “major impacts globally, including socioeconomic impacts”.Viruses in theFiloviridaefamily include theMarburgandEbolahaemorrhagic fevers, whileFlaviviridaeinclude mosquito-borne virusesdengueandZika. Bacteria families highlighted include those home toYersinia pestis, which causes plague, andBacillus anthracis, which causes Anthrax.Others listed include theCoronaviridaefamily, which includes Covid-19, and theOrthomyxoviridaefamily which includesavian influenza.Oliver said UKHSA’s scientists had considered “not just the fact that some of these families have got high potential to cause pandemics or epidemics, but also where there are currently gaps in the availability of either diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, or where there are evolving and growing changes around antimicrobial resistance, or where there is a significant sensitivity to climate change, that might mean that this threat evolves or changes more rapidly”.She said one of UKHSA’s concerns, reflected in the tool, was “the change in the distribution of mosquitoes and ticks that can carry viruses that cause adverse health effects to humans” linked to climate and environmental change.The document, which will be updated regularly, does not indicate which pathogens UKHSA considers most likely to cause the next pandemic, Oliver stressed, but those most in need of increased scientific investment and study. She said it would be used in conversations with the scientific community “to help ensure that investment is focused to where it can have the biggest impact”.Some diseases highlighted, including theCaliciviridaefamily member norovirus, already pose a “high” domestic burden in the UK, but have no specific treatment or vaccine available.Thefirst reportfrom the UK Covid inquiry found that prior to 2020 there had been too much focus on the risk of an influenza pandemic, with officials then taking too long to adjust to the threat from a different type of virus.TheParamyxoviridaefamily – which includes measles, as well as Nipah virus – is among those highlighted as a concern.Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said he agreed with the assessment: “A novel measles-like virus would pose a threat far worse than Covid. Such a virus would have a much higher R number [indicating how contagious an infectious disease is] than the original variants of Covid – making it impossible to control by even the strictest lockdown. It would also be considerably more deadly, and (unlike Covid) it would be a threat to children. This is the kind of pandemic that public health agencies around the world are most concerned about.“That said, there are many potential kinds of novel pandemic threats – so-called Disease X – and the UKHSA report is a timely reminder that we should not put all our eggs in one basket.”
UK experts urge prioritising research into 24 types of deadly pathogen families
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Health Experts Highlight 24 Pathogen Families Needing Urgent Research Attention"
The Guardian
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have identified 24 pathogen families that pose significant health risks to the UK and require urgent research prioritization. These pathogens, which include well-known threats like bird flu, plague, and Ebola, are not currently prevalent within the UK but could become major health concerns due to factors such as climate change, the emergence of drug resistance, and the absence of effective vaccines and treatments. Dr. Isabel Oliver, UKHSA's chief scientific officer, emphasized that the changing climate may alter the distribution and spread of these pathogens, particularly those carried by mosquitoes and ticks, leading to adverse health effects on humans. The report highlights various viral families, including Filoviridae, which encompasses Ebola and Marburg viruses, and Flaviviridae, which includes dengue and Zika viruses. Bacterial families of concern include those responsible for plague and anthrax, as well as pathogens like norovirus, which already present a significant domestic burden in the UK without available specific treatments or vaccines.
The UKHSA's tool aims to facilitate dialogue with the scientific community to ensure that research investments are directed towards the most pressing biosecurity threats. While the report does not predict which pathogens may trigger the next pandemic, it identifies those requiring increased attention and funding. Mark Woolhouse, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, supported the UKHSA’s assessment, noting that a novel measles-like virus could pose a far greater threat than COVID-19 due to its higher transmissibility and potential lethality, especially among children. This highlights the importance of not solely focusing on known threats, as there are many potential future pandemics, referred to as Disease X. The report serves as a crucial reminder for public health agencies to broaden their scope of preparedness and research beyond existing concerns to encompass a wider range of potential infectious diseases.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The report highlights the urgent need for prioritizing research into 24 pathogen families that pose significant health threats in the UK, such as bird flu, plague, and Ebola. This call to action from UK health experts sheds light on the potential risks these pathogens present, especially in light of climate change and rising drug resistance. By naming specific pathogens, the report aims to elevate public and governmental awareness about biosecurity risks, emphasizing the necessity for proactive measures.
Public Perception and Awareness
The article seeks to instill a sense of urgency regarding the potential for outbreaks of diseases that are not currently prevalent in the UK. By linking climate change to the spread of pathogens, it aims to foster a broader understanding of how environmental factors can influence public health risks. This could enhance community support for increased funding and research into these diseases.
Information Omission and Hidden Agendas
While the report calls for action, it does not specify which pathogens might be most likely to trigger future pandemics. This omission could be seen as a way to avoid causing panic while still highlighting significant threats. The emphasis on climate change as a contributor to biosecurity risks might also serve to align public discourse with environmental action, potentially masking other pressing issues.
Manipulative Elements
The report carries a degree of manipulative potential by emphasizing the catastrophic impacts of pathogens without presenting a balanced view of the current state of public health. The use of language that evokes fear may be intended to galvanize public opinion in favor of increased governmental and organizational funding for research and preparedness initiatives.
Comparative Analysis
In conjunction with other recent health-related articles, this report fits within a larger narrative concerning pandemic preparedness and biosecurity. It connects to discussions around the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the need for vigilance against emerging diseases.
Impact on Society and Economy
The implications of this report are significant for public health policy and funding. Increased awareness could lead to more substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure, research, and development of vaccines and treatments, thus influencing the economy positively. However, it could also lead to heightened anxiety among the public, potentially affecting consumer behavior and political stability.
Target Audience
This report is likely to resonate more with communities concerned about health, environmental issues, and public safety. It aims to engage policymakers, researchers, and the general public, particularly those who are already invested in public health and environmental advocacy.
Market and Economic Influence
The focus on pathogen families and biosecurity may impact healthcare stocks, particularly those related to vaccine development and infectious disease research. Companies involved in pharmaceuticals and biotech may see fluctuations based on public and investor reactions to this kind of news.
Global Power Dynamics
From a geopolitical perspective, the report underscores the interconnectedness of health security and environmental issues, potentially influencing international relations as countries grapple with their own public health preparedness in the face of global threats.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
There is a possibility that AI was used in drafting or analyzing the report, particularly in identifying the pathogen families based on existing data patterns. If AI was involved, it may have helped in emphasizing certain risks over others, guiding the narrative towards urgent research needs. In conclusion, while the report addresses real and pressing public health issues, it is essential to consider the potential biases in its presentation and the implications for societal behavior and policy. The overall reliability of the report is strong, given the expertise of the UKHSA, but the framing of the issues suggests a deliberate push for action that could lead to both positive and negative outcomes.