- WHO unveils first global framework for investigating origins of novel pathogens, aiming to streamline and standardize outbreak source identification.
- Framework outlines six key technical elements for comprehensive pathogen origin studies, including human-animal interface and genomic analyses.
- WHO Director-General emphasizes the scientific and moral importance of understanding outbreak origins, urging China to share all COVID-19 origin information.
The World Health Organization (WHO), with backing from the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), has released a global framework to guide Member States in investigating the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens. While various tools already exist for probing infectious disease outbreaks, this marks the first standardized, structured approach for tracing the origins of novel pathogens.
The framework aims to close existing gaps by offering comprehensive guidelines for scientific investigations. As the first iteration of a "how-to" guide, it will be updated based on user feedback as necessary.
As each outbreak and pandemic demonstrates, human and animal health is threatened by the increasing risk of the emergence of known (such as Ebola, Nipah, avian influenza, Lassa and Monkeypox viruses) and novel pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential (novel influenza, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2), the ability to prevent, and when we cannot prevent, to swiftly contain outbreaks and identify their origins is scientifically, morally, and financially more critical than ever.
The WHO global framework outlines scientific investigations and studies for six technical elements:
- Early investigations of the first identified cases/clusters/outbreaks to identify potential sources of exposure, collection of samples at the source, and defining the characteristics of the novel pathogen involved for the establishment of diagnostic assays.
- Human studies: to understand the epidemiology including clinical presentation, modes of transmission, pathology, and earliest presence in syndromic surveillance samples.
- Human/Animal interface studies to identify potential animal reservoirs, intermediate hosts and reverse zoonoses.
- Studies to identify insect vectors or other sources of infection as well as earliest presence in the environment.
- Genomics and Phylogenetics studies to identify precursor strains, genomic characteristics, evolution in intermediate hosts and humans, and spatial distribution over time.
- Biosafety/Biosecurity studies to determine if a breach in laboratory or research activities may have been associated with the first cases.
“Understanding when, where, how and why epidemics and pandemics begin is both a scientific imperative, to prevent future outbreaks and a moral imperative for the sake of those who lose their lives to them,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
He also stated “This framework provides for the first time comprehensive guidance on the studies that are needed to investigate the origins of emerging and reemerging pathogens. If it had been in place when COVID-19 struck, the quest to understand its origins may have been less contentious and more successful. WHO continues to call on China to share all information it has on the origins of COVID-19, so that all hypotheses can be investigated.”
Established in November 2021 and made up of independent experts from around the world, the SAGO was tasked with identifying the best technical and scientific approaches to understanding the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens and developing this global framework.
The SAGO forms part of a strengthened healthcare emergency preparedness and prevention system developed by WHO, its Member States, and many health and scientific partners.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
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