A deadly outbreak of super flu dubbed “Disease X” could wipe out 80million people across the world in two days. The outbreak could kill between 50 and 80million people and spread worldwide within 36 to 50 hours, adds the report. It could wipe out nearly 5% of the global economy and lead to social chaos. In the case of a pandemic, many national health systems, especially in poor countries, would collapse. Experts have previously warned that Disease X could kill millions of healthy people if it mimics past pandemics. The new report warned that viral diseases such as Ebola, flu and SARS are increasingly tough to manage in a world dominated by lengthy conflicts, fragile states and forced migration. Some countries have made efforts to be vigilant and prepare for outbreaks of major diseases, but the new report adds that those efforts are “grossly insufficient”. |