Novel pathogens pose significant challenges due to several factors. First, the lack of pre-existing immunity in the population can lead to rapid and widespread transmission. Second, the medical community may have limited information about the pathogen's characteristics, such as its virulence, modes of transmission, and effective treatments. Finally, novel pathogens can impact public health, economics, and social stability by causing pandemics, as seen with the emergence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
