On Monday, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a warning that the planet must be prepared for a disease deadlier than Covid-19.
Dr. Tedros delivered this message during a meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, just weeks after the WHO officially ended the global health emergency related to COVID-19.
While claiming that COVID-19 still poses a significant threat, Tedros warned that it is not the sole health crisis the world may face.
“We cannot kick this can down the road,” said Tedros. “If we do not make the changes that must be made, then who will? And if we do not make them now, then when? When the next pandemic comes knocking — and it will — we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively, and equitably.”
He added, “The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains.”