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WHO launches global network to detect and prevent infectious disease threats

  • May 22, 2023
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global network for help protect the population from infectious disease threats by analyzing pathogen genomics. In particular, this tool, which

WHO launches global network to detect and prevent infectious disease threats

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global network for help protect the population from infectious disease threats by analyzing pathogen genomics.

In particular, this tool, which will be called International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), it will provide a platform to bring countries and regions together, improve sample collection and analysis systems, use this data to make public health decisions, and disseminate this information more widely.

Genomics of pathogens analyzes the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other organisms pathogens to understand their degree of infectivity, mortality and spread.

With this information, you can identify and track diseases to prevent and respond to outbreaks as part of a broader disease surveillance system, and for the development of treatments and vaccines.

Photo: Reuters file

IPSN, whose secretariat is located in WHO Intelligence Center for Pandemics and Epidemics, It brings together experts from around the world in genomics and data analysis drawn from governments, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector.

“The goal of this new network is ambitious, but it can also play a vital role in health security: provide all countries with access to sequencing and genomic analysis of pathogens as part of the public health system. As has been clearly shown to us during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is strongest when it comes together to fight common health threats,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO warns that despite the recent increase in genomic capacity in countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, “Many still lack efficient systems for collecting and analyzing samples or use that data to make public health decisions.”

“It is not enough to share data, practices and innovations build a robust global health surveillance architecture. Budgets that skyrocketed during the pandemic, enabling rapid capacity building, are now shrinking even in the wealthiest countries,” the UN international health organization lamented.

(Europe Press)

Source: Aristegui Noticias

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