“Disease X” refers to an unexpected and unknown outbreak of a contagious or infectious disease, and as an elusive pathogen, we don’t know if we can prevent the occurrence of Disease X.

What we do know is that most of the recent pandemics have originated from animal viruses that have a capacity for inter-species transmission. As a zoonotic disease is likely the prime candidate for the next pandemic, work should begin with a better understanding of the risks of emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases.

By implementing disease prevention and preparedness programmes, endorsing the use of preventive measures, and ensuring access not just to medical countermeasures, but also antigen banks, it may just be possible to minimise this interspecies transmission. Such efforts in the field of animal disease would not only reduce the huge socio-economic costs associated with a more reactive approach to disease outbreaks in animals, but they could also drastically reduce the potential One Health risks.

Our conference will explore disease preparedness, prevention, and response measures and discuss the value of investing in better animal health systems.