Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that Disease X is the next plandemic. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned an article titled ‘article titled ‘Disease X: UK scientists begin developing vaccines against new pandemic’ published on a British media website named Sky News’ about scientists in the UK working on vaccines for a new disease called “Disease X.” They’re saying that this new disease could be the next big pandemic, like what happened with COVID-19. It’s strange because usually, you can’t make a vaccine for a disease that doesn’t exist yet. They’re suggesting that maybe the virus is already around, and they’re getting ready for it.
The tweet also suggests that this could be some kind of secret plan, like a hidden scheme to create a new pandemic on purpose. This idea is being called “bio-terrorism,” which means using biology (like viruses) to cause harm.
Fact Check
What is plandemic?
Plandemic is a term that gained popularity in early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It refers to a conspiracy theory that alleges a deliberate and coordinated effort by powerful individuals or groups to create and exploit the pandemic for their own gain.
The term is often used to spread misinformation and promote unfounded claims about the origins of the virus, the effectiveness of public health measures such as wearing masks and social distancing, and the motives behind vaccine development efforts.
The term Plandemic is a conspiracy theory that got attention during the Covid-19 pandemic. It claims that the COVID-19 pandemic was intentionally created. However, we found the plandemic affecting other narratives as well. One such is the drug azidothymidine killed thousands of people we debunked previously.
Is Disease X the next plandemic?
Not exactly. There is no evidence confirming that Disease X will be the next pandemic. Our research has revealed that the term Disease X is used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to refer to a potential future pandemic caused by a pathogen that is currently unknown to cause human disease. It encompasses any unidentified pathogen that could potentially trigger a significant global epidemic.
While Disease X could potentially be the source of the next pandemic, it is also plausible that it could be caused by a pathogen that is already known, such as a flu virus or a coronavirus. Determining the exact cause of the next pandemic is impossible, but it is crucial to be prepared for the possibility of another outbreak.
The WHO has identified several priority diseases that pose a risk of causing a pandemic, including:
- Ebola virus disease
- Marburg virus disease
- Lassa fever
- Nipah and henipaviral diseases
- Rift Valley fever
- Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
- COVID-19
The WHO is actively working to develop vaccines and treatments for these diseases, as well as to enhance surveillance and response systems, to ensure better preparedness for future pandemics.
Further investigation into the origins of the claim circulating on social media revealed that a team of scientists is working to anticipate the emergence of Disease X at a research center located in southwest England. Their efforts involve evaluating animal-borne viruses with the potential to cross over to humans and addressing pathogens that currently lack a viable vaccine. This comprehensive approach also entails identifying areas for immunization enhancement, such as improving flu shots or administering smallpox vaccinations, as reported by The Guardian.
The work is a part of the broader 100 Days Mission, a global initiative aimed at swiftly developing safe and effective vaccines in response to any potential pandemic threat within a 100-day timeframe following its identification. It is essential to clarify that these activities do not indicate any plot by scientists to intentionally instigate a future pandemic.
Conclusively, the current evidence suggests that the ongoing research is not intended to deliberately create a new disease. Instead, its focus is on preventing the spread of diseases and safeguarding public health.
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