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WHO Introduces New Framework for Investigating Origins of Pathogens
Context:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global framework designed to enhance the investigation of the origins of novel and re-emerging pathogens with the potential to cause epidemics or pandemics.
Key Highlights:
- Developed by the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), this framework is designed to address gaps in current outbreak investigation methods.
- The increasing risk of known and novel pathogens—such as Ebola, Nipah, avian influenza, Lassa fever, Monkeypox, and SARS-CoV-2—highlights the need for effective prevention and containment strategies.
- The WHO has emphasised the need to assemble multidisciplinary teams that include experts in clinical medicine, microbiology, epidemiology, veterinary science, and data science.
- These teams will collaborate with international organisations like the United Nations (FAO), the UNEP, and the WOAH.
- The framework emphasises flexibility, allowing teams to adjust their approach based on real-time developments.
- The WHO intends to update the framework periodically to address new challenges in the global health landscape.
- It aligns with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and uses a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health considerations.
Key Technical Elements:
- Early Investigations: Conduct initial studies on the first identified cases or clusters to determine potential sources of exposure, collect samples at the source, and define the novel pathogen’s characteristics for diagnostic development.
- Human Studies: Understanding the epidemiology of the disease, including clinical presentation, modes of transmission, pathology, and the earliest presence in syndromic surveillance samples.
- Human-Animal Interface Studies: Identifying potential animal reservoirs, intermediate hosts, and instances of reverse zoonoses.
- Insect Vector and Environmental Studies: Identifying insect vectors or other sources of infection and assessing the pathogen’s earliest presence in the environment.
- Genomics and Phylogenetics: Studying genomic characteristics, identifying precursor strains, and tracking the pathogen’s evolution and spatial distribution over time in intermediate hosts and humans.
- Biosafety/Biosecurity Studies: Investigating whether any breaches in laboratory or research activities may have been linked to the initial cases.
Significance:
- Preventing and Containing Health Crises: Early identification of pathogen origins can help stop outbreaks before they spread, halt transmission chains, and reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover.
- Global Coordination: Providing clear guidance on when and how to initiate multi-disciplinary investigations, and recommending the necessary capacities, such as surveillance systems and laboratory expertise.
Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO)
- Established in November 2021.
- It is composed of independent experts tasked with developing the best technical and scientific approaches for understanding pathogen origins.
- The creation of this framework is part of a broader effort to enhance global health emergency preparedness and prevention, involving WHO, Member States, and various health and scientific partners.