![Prepare for next pandemic, future pathogens with "even deadlier potential" than COVID, WHO chief warns](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/05/23/b41ea84a-bdad-4522-8bf7-5a890fab814f/thumbnail/1200x630/69a29b2b2bf8c9dc47a1b0a34284c571/2023-05-04t051621z-13621784-rc2q5y94p9pf-rtrmadp-3-health-coronavirus-who.jpg)
Prepare for next pandemic, future pathogens with "even deadlier potential" than COVID, WHO chief warns
CBSN
The head of the World Health Organization urged countries across the globe to prepare for the next pandemic, warning that future health emergencies could be even worse than the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's warning comes weeks after the group officially ended the COVID global health emergency. During a meeting of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Tedros said COVID is still a threat — but not the only one we may have to confront.
"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," he said.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250203123823.jpg)
Sydney, Australia — A shark bit and killed a 17-year-old girl swimming off an eastern Australian island on Monday, officials said, in the country's third reported fatal attack in just over five weeks. Paramedics rushed to Woorim Beach in Queensland to treat the teenager, who had sustained serious injuries to her upper body, an ambulance service spokesperson said.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250201093110.jpg)
Tel Aviv — American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was among three hostages released by militants in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Saturday, more than 15 months after they were taken captive by Hamas. Siegel was freed in Gaza City about two hours after Israelis Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon were released in the southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military confirmed Siegel's transfer from militants to Red Cross personnel.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250201033155.jpg)
Six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela in recent months were freed by the government of President Nicolás Maduro after he met Friday with a Trump administration official tasked with urging the authoritarian leader to take back deported migrants who have committed crimes in the United States.