WHO warns of 2026 pandemic, Russia faces two viruses

The WHO suggests that a new global pandemic this year could be caused by a supervirus, also known as Pathogen X. It could form from four viruses: monkeypox, rubella, avian flu, and Oropouche fever. However, Anastasia Kozhevnikova, an assistant at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology of Pirogov University IKM, believes that only two viruses pose a real threat to Russia.

«Let»s break down the «threats» point by point from a Russian practical perspective. Starting with monkeypox (Mpox): in Russia, as in the world, after the 2022–2023 outbreak, diagnostic experience has been gained, there are treatment regimens and vaccines. It is a controlled infection, not a natural disaster. Moreover, and most importantly, the Mpox virus (monkeypox virus) is not transmitted through airborne droplets from person to person. Oropouche virus is an exotic infection for Russia, transmitted by specific vectors in the tropics. Its sudden globalization is unlikely,« the infectious disease specialist noted.

According to Kozhevnikova, these viruses do not pose a direct danger to Russians, except for travelers visiting regions with high endemicity. As for rubella, the doctor considers the problem exaggerated.

«Yes, the rubella virus creates certain problems for pregnant women, but as an »Agent of Pandemic X,« it is completely unsuitable,» the specialist noted.

The expert emphasized that what should truly be feared is measles, which Western experts did not mention. The pandemic risks of this disease are indeed growing, but not due to pathogen mutation, but because people are mass-refusing vaccination. Against this background, the population«s collective immunity is declining.

«Measles has returned not because it became scarier, but because we became more defenseless. The solution is not panic, but catch-up immunization. In Russia, there is a National Vaccination Calendar, and its strict adherence is our best defense,» the doctor stated.

The situation with avian flu (H5N1) also poses a threat. The infectious disease specialist believes that the spread of the virus among mammals is a serious signal for epidemiologists worldwide.

«Russian services (Rosselkhoznadzor – Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rospotrebnadzor – Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) conduct constant monitoring. The pandemic risk will arise only if the virus acquires a sustained ability for human-to-human transmission. This has not happened yet. We have technologies for rapid vaccine creation based on current strains, reserves of antiviral drugs. This is a threat that the world prepares for in advance,» Kozhevnikova emphasized.

She also added that the concept of Disease X, voiced by the WHO, is not a prediction, but scenario planning for preparing for a possible pandemic.

«Reducing it to specific four viruses is a crude simplification. We do not need to wait for 2026 in horror. We need to already today responsibly approach our health, maintain collective immunity through vaccination, and preserve a calm but vigilant position based on facts, not scare stories,» the doctor concluded in a conversation with Gazeta.Ru.

In addition to other diseases, Russians this year are threatened by superbugs and other forgotten viruses. More about them was told in a separate material.