KUCHING: Despite not yet being discovered, Sarawak remains on high alert for the possible existence of “Disease X.”
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stressed the significance of this vigilance, citing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) classification of “Disease X” due to its unknown nature and the uncertainty of when the next pandemic might emerge.
“We don’t know what it is yet; that’s why it is called ‘Disease X’… but based on what happened during the COVID-19 (which no one expected before), we need to always stay alert,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the 2023 Advancing Asia Economic Forum organised by the Malaysia Hwang Chamber of Commerce (MHCC) held here today (Oct 7).
Abang Johari said it is necessary to gather more information from experts or WHO, including the symptoms of those infected by the disease, before the state can decide on the next course of action.
“We need to know if it’s going to start with a flu, fever, or other symptoms; only then can we decide what to do next or how to develop a vaccine,” he explained.
Sarawak, he said, is committed to fight against infectious diseases, adding that the state government had allocated RM200 million to set up an infectious disease research centre expected to be completed by 2026.
He said the development of the centre was to ensure outbreak preparedness and to spearhead the fight against future pandemics in Sarawak.
“During the COVID-19, we faced problems in securing sufficient vaccines and we have learnt from that experience.
“This time, we have our own research center, experts who will be working together with international institutes so that we can develop our own vaccine,” he added.
For now, he said, the Sarawak government will continue to monitor developments of “Disease X” in the country as well as abroad.
Last month, the media reported that health experts expressed concerns that the looming threat of the next significant pandemic could potentially result in the loss of millions more lives compared to COVID-19.
WHO has recommended the immediate preparation of a vaccine as a quick response, citing the fact that the world was unprepared when facing COVID-19 in early 2020.
