Organisms from families that include bird flu, plague, and Ebola present health risks in the UK and should be prioritized for research, according to government experts. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has created a list of 24 viruses and bacteria posing biosecurity risks due to insufficient vaccines, tests, and treatments, climate-related changes, and drug resistance. These pathogens can cause diseases not currently seen in the UK, though climate change may affect their spread. The list includes viruses like Ebola, Marburg, Dengue, and Zika, as well as bacteria responsible for plague and Anthrax. Concerns also focus on mosquito and tick distribution changes due to climate change. The document serves as a tool for guiding scientific investment and is not an indication of the most likely pathogens to cause a future pandemic.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/25/uk-experts-urge-prioritising-research-into-24-types-of-deadly-pathogen-families