WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Develops Innovative Tools to Boost Countries' Defenses Against Future Pandemics

Strategic Insights -

In today's interconnected world, health threats spread faster than ever, requiring constant innovation to protect lives and prevent the next pandemic. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin is leveraging innovative tools and collaborations for more effective disease surveillance worldwide. Just over three years after its inauguration, the Hub now supports over 150 countries in detecting health threats more effectively and rapidly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence has supported over 150 countries in detecting health threats more effectively and rapidly, just over three years after its inauguration.
  • The Hub's latest annual report highlights the growing impact of this work and provides key insights into progress made in 2024.
  • The Hub is developing a cutting-edge platform that will visualize disease transmission and simulate the impact of different countermeasures, providing actionable insights to policy-makers and supporting them in responding to a health crisis.
  • The Hub's International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) connects over 235 organizations and countries to expand genomic surveillance more equitably around the world, including through a US$ 4 million fund for low- and middle-income countries.
  • The WHO Hub in Berlin is a vibrant place for collaboration and co-creation, bringing partners together, facilitating data sharing and joint analysis, and supporting the collective adoption of innovative approaches.

Statistics:

  • 150+ countries supported by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence
  • 235+ organizations and countries connected to the Hub's International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN)
  • $4 million fund for low- and middle-income countries to expand genomic surveillance
  • Over 60 onsite workshops and events hosted by the Hub each year in Berlin

Sources:

  • World Health Organisation (WHO)
  • WHO Director-General's statement
  • WHO Executive Director's statement
  • WHO Health Emergencies Programme
  • WHO Deputy Executive Director's statement
  • WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence annual report (2024)
  • Germany's support for scientific innovation for global health security
  • Berlin as the home for the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence