The World Health Organization (WHO) has significantly updated its list of dangerous pathogens, identifying over 30 potential agents that could trigger future pandemics as of December 2024.

This update is the culmination of two years of research conducted by more than 200 scientists from around 50 countries, focusing on pathogens that require new treatments and vaccines.

The revised list has expanded from a dozen pathogens in 2018 to over 30 today, reflecting a growing concern for international health emergencies.

The current list emphasizes entire virus families rather than just individual pathogens, including notable entries such as the Sarbecoviruses and Merbecoviruses, which are related to COVID-19 and MERS.

Among the newly added viral threats are Influenza A viruses, Dengue virus, and Mpox virus, while significant bacterial strains like Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia pestis have also been included.

The WHO has underscored the urgent need for effective antibiotics to combat these bacterial strains, particularly due to their potential for developing resistance.

The identified pathogens are characterized by high transmissibility and rapid spread, raising concerns about potential endemic or pandemic outbreaks, especially given the lack of available vaccines.

Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, head of the WHO's Blueprint for Epidemics research team, stressed the importance of prioritizing these pathogens to address critical knowledge gaps and ensure efficient resource allocation for vaccine development.

The updated list also highlights various subtypes of Influenza A, including H1, H2, H3, H5, H6, H7, and H10, as potential pandemic threats.

The updated list not only includes bacterial threats like Shigella dysenteriae Serotype 1 and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica but also emphasizes the need for vigilance against diseases linked to these pathogens.

Additional viral threats highlighted in the update include the bird flu virus H5N1 and the chikungunya virus, further illustrating the diverse range of potential pandemic-causing agents.