2023-05-23 12:04:14
Genomics analyzes the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms to understand how contagious they are, how deadly they are and how they spread. This is a field that uses screening technology and bioinformatics, as well as virulence factors that enable a microorganism to infect a host and potentially cause disease.
Because WHO centralizes this information, scientists and public health officials can identify and track diseases. In this way, outbreaks can be prevented and any outbreaks can be responded to based on a broader disease surveillance system. The right treatments and vaccines can also be developed more easily on the basis of this information.
IPSN: worldwide genetics network
The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) will provide a platform to connect countries and regions, improve systems for sample collection and analysis. It can also be used to drive public health decision-making and share that information more widely. The IPSN, with a secretariat hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, brings together experts in genetics and data analysis from around the world. All of these parties have one common goal: to detect and respond to disease threats before they become epidemics and pandemics.
DNA sequencing available for every country
The goal of this new network is ambitious, as it aims to give each country access to DNA sequencing and analysis of germs as part of its public health system. WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus puts it on the website from WHO: “As was clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is stronger when it works together to fight shared health threats. WHO is seeking this collaboration on numerous fronts, such as international research into the use of digital medical options. But also by helping to set up international databases such as this new global genomics data platform.”
Genomics has an impact
Genomics is at the heart of effective preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics, as well as part of the ongoing surveillance of a wide range of diseases – from foodborne illness and influenza to tuberculosis and HIV. For example, its use in monitoring the spread of HIV drug resistance has led to antiretroviral regimens that have saved countless lives.
Despite the recent scaling up of genomics capacity in countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries still lack effective systems for collecting and analyzing samples or using that data for good decision making to boost public health . Not enough data, practices and innovations are being shared yet to build a robust architecture for global health surveillance. That is a pity because diseases know no borders: a disease threat in one country is ultimately also a threat to another.
Worldwide WHO network connects
The IPSN will address these challenges through a global network, connecting geographies and disease-specific networks, to build a collaborative system to better detect, prevent and respond to disease threats.
Members will collaborate in dedicated groups focused on specific challenges, supported by funding through the IPSN to scale pathogen genetics ideas and projects. By connecting countries, regions and wider stakeholders, the IPSN will help build critical capacity and reinforce priorities at the regional and country level.
ISPN & WHO
The IPSN is a new global network of genomics actors. The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence enables accelerating progress in the deployment of so-called ‘pathogenic genomics’ and improving public health decision-making. The IPSN envisions a world where every country has equitable access to sustainable genomic sequencing and analysis capacity as part of its public health surveillance system. It aims to create a mutually supportive global network of genomic surveillance actors that strengthens and accelerates the work of its members to improve access and equity.
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