Health authorities in the UK have published a list of high-risk disease-causing viruses, the first of its kind, designed to identify pathogens that pose the greatest threat to humans. Among those listed are viruses such as Ebola, monkeypox, and norovirus, all flagged for their potential to cause future pandemics. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) hopes this “priority pathogen list” will help accelerate vaccine research and development.
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The list highlights four virus families that are of particular concern: coronaviruses, noroviruses, influenza viruses, and paramyxoviruses, which include the Nipah virus. With the growing risks from climate change and the spread of diseases due to increased resistance to antibiotics, the UKHSA aims to encourage more scientific collaboration in developing effective vaccines and treatments. Experts stress the need for better diagnostics and vaccines to combat these threats in the future.
Professor Mark Woolhouse of the University of Edinburgh noted that the inclusion of coronaviruses was critical given the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the UK was too focused on influenza risks before 2020, and it took too long to respond effectively to COVID-19. Other experts echoed concerns about emerging threats, highlighting the potential of diseases from wildlife to cause future pandemics.
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The UKHSA’s report emphasises the growing risks posed by climate change and the need to address less understood virus families. Experts, including Professor Emma Thomson of the University of Glasgow, warn that while focusing on known pathogens is important, the threat of unknown diseases such as ‘Disease X’ remains significant. Enhanced surveillance and technologies for virus discovery will be essential in identifying and assessing novel threats that could emerge.
