Health experts highlight the lethal bacteria and viruses that may cause next pandemic

Deadly pathogens from families that include bird flu, plague and Ebola pose a threat to health in the UK and should be prioritised for research, government experts have said.

- Kat Lay

The first tool of its kind from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) lists 24 types of virus and bacteria where a lack of vaccines, tests and treatment, changes due to the climate crisis or growing drug resistance pose a biosecurity risk.

The pathogen families on the list cause many diseases not currently seen in the UK. However, climate change could change how and where they spread, said Dr Isabel Oliver, UKHSA's chief scientific officer, while a large outbreak overseas could have "major impacts globally, including socioeconomic impacts".

Viruses in the filoviridae family include the haemorrhagic fevers Marburg and Ebola, while flaviviridae include the mosquito-borne viruses dengue and Zika.