Since 2015 the WHO has developed a list of diseases that cause the most harm and that we’re most unprepared for.

The blueprint of priority diseases.

You can check out the actual blueprint for 2018 that we researched here ► https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/2018prioritization-report.pdf?ua=1

And you can learn more about CEPI, the organization that actually uses the WHO blueprint to address diseases here ► https://www.who.int/medicines/ebola-treatment/TheCoalitionEpidemicPreparednessInnovations-an-overview.pdf

Recently the media was abuzz with talk of ‘Disease X,’ a mysterious illness that could spread across the world. And then…nothing happened. It turns out that people had misinterpreted the World Health Organization’s List of Blueprint priority diseases, which identifies the world’s most dangerous diseases in terms of potential for outbreaks or epidemics. There are diseases that are already known – like Ebola, MERS or SARS – and then a space for ‘disease x,’ any new disease which could evolve and pose the threat of a pandemic. By identifying them and planning out potential responses, the World Health Organization is able to better respond to disease outbreaks and contain the spread of illness. While it has been over 100 years since the 1918 Influenza epidemic where the H1N1 virus (aka Spanish Flu) devastated the world, new pathogens are constantly emerging – and the possibility of superbugs spreading across our ever-more-connected world makes the W.H.O.’s work vitally important.

In this Freethink video, host Alex Cardinale gives an in-depth look at how the Blueprint for Priority Diseases works–with guest scientist .

What do you think? Let us know in the comments – and if you liked this video, be sure to check out our series Superhuman, telling the inspiring stories of people at the front lines of medical innovation.

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Did you know that there are more than 320,000 viruses that can infect mammals? One of the most talked-about viruses nowadays is SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, but it is not the deadliest. There are other even more lethal viruses that are the stuff of nightmares.

This might leave you wondering where these viruses come from and how they can kill you. In our video, we explore all these questions and bring you a specific list of the deadliest viruses. The candidates on that list may surprise you.

For instance, rabies is one of the most dangerous viruses around. The virus causes about 56,000 deaths per year in more than 95 percent of Africa and Asia.

It is mostly transmitted from domestic dogs, but bats and rats also play a minor role. One bite from an infected animal can result in inflammation of the brain, nausea, vomiting, violent movements, and even a fear of water.

By then, it’s too late for the infected individual, and death typically occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest.

Rabies is only one of the most lethal viruses on Earth right now. If you’re curious about our other picks and how they affect humans, watch our video to find out more.

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Hank scares our pants off with a tale of the five deadliest infectious diseases in the world.

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References for this episode can be found in the Google document here: http://dft.ba/-3rSt
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