SGS

Context

Genomic surveillance (GS) is crucial for monitoring known and newly emerging pathogens and for efficiently responding to infectious disease threats with epidemic or pandemic potential. It can transform public health action by providing a deeper understanding of pathogens and their evolution and circulation in the human population. Good GS enables the public health sector to make evidence-based decisions on the management of pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, which contributes to their effective mitigation and containment. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed challenges for genomics in public health surveillance systems, and RKI partners involved in different GHPP projects are increasingly asking for training and support in implementing or strengthening GS. The project therefore targets national and regional public health laboratories in countries with existing GHPP projects, providing their public health workforce with a basic skillset in sequencing and bioinformatic data analysis and strengthening overall GS capacities. By bringing different project participants together, it also provides a networking platform and opportunities for further collaboration, exchanges and support.

Objective

Strengthening GS capacities within GHPP projects in the areas of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic data analysis.