One other virus of concern is spreading across Europe that many experts consider could cause the following pandemic, based on a report.

The disease, often known as the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), is a potentially deadly fever brought on by a virus and is currently on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of priority pathogens that might cause wide outbreaks and pandemics, Forbes reported.

Because the temperature of the Earth rises as a consequence of climate change, the warmed environment has been conducive to the expansion of the habitat of ticks that may carry and transmit the nairovirus that causes CCHF, especially in additional temperate regions in Europe.

As an example, in Spain, it recorded its first cases of the virus in 2011 and 2016.

The “hemorrhagic” within the CCHF is what makes the disease dangerous because it means profuse bleeding. After about 4 days of the symptoms, CCHF progresses into severe bruising, nosebleeds and continuous bleeding at any a part of the skin penetrated by sharp objects like needles.

The bleeding, which could last for nearly two weeks, has caused the deaths of between 9% and 50% of hospitalized patients during outbreaks.

And even when one survives CCHF, recovery can take longer than usual since bleeding shouldn’t be something that stops upon recovering from the virus.

And while there are not any specific treatments for CCHF just yet, the antiviral drug ribavirin could also be used to treat patients. Nonetheless, it’s still being studied further.

In 2022, the WHO launched a worldwide scientific process to update its list of “priority pathogens” or those that might cause outbreaks or pandemics.

“Targeting priority pathogens and virus families for research and development of countermeasures is important for a quick and effective epidemic and pandemic response,” Dr. Michael Ryan, the chief director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said in 2022.

“Without significant R&D investments prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not have been possible to have secure and effective vaccines developed in record time.”

Through this initiative, WHO is attempting to get ahead of possible virus outbreaks by directing global investments in research and development, especially within the creation of vaccines, tests and coverings.

“This list of priority pathogens has turn into a reference point for the research community on where to focus energies to administer the following threat,” WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said.

“It’s developed along with experts in the sphere and is the agreed direction for where we—as a worldwide research community—need to take a position energy and funds to develop tests, treatments and vaccines. We thank our donors just like the U.S. government, our partners, and the scientists who work with WHO to make this possible.”

Published by Medicaldaily.com