The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call to nations worldwide to prepare for the potential emergence of a pathogen more lethal than the novel COVID-19.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, delivered this message during the 76th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Highlighting the ongoing threat, Dr Ghebreyesus emphasized the possibility of a new variant that could trigger fresh waves of illness and fatalities, possessing an even greater potential for deadliness. He underscored that pandemics are not the sole challenges confronting the world today.

In a world grappling with various crises that intersect and converge, Dr Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of establishing an effective framework for health emergency preparedness and response that encompasses all types of emergencies.

The WHO's recent warning comes after the organization declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern a few weeks ago.

By urging global readiness, the WHO aims to ensure that nations remain vigilant, proactive, and equipped to face potential future threats posed by emerging pathogens.