WHO is releasing a strategy to strengthen and scale up genomic surveillance around the world.Historically, few countries have routinely done genomic surveillance in-country, a technology considered complicated and expensive.
But COVID-19 changed that. Genomic surveillance is the process of constantly monitoring pathogens and analyzing their genetic similarities and differences.
It helps researchers, epidemiologists and public health officials to monitor the evolution of infectious diseases agents, alert on the spread of pathogens, and develop counter measures like vaccines.The Global genomic surveillance strategy for pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential 2022–2032 is not specific to a single pathogen or disease threat.
It provides a high-level unifying framework to leverage existing capacities, address barriers and strengthen the use of genomic surveillance worldwide.