UK announces “global pandemic radar” to track virus

LONDON, May 20 (EFE) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced the creation of a “global epidemic radar” to identify variants of coronoviruses and other emerging pathogens, a project that the organization together with the World Health Organization Will launch (WHO) and other nations.

Downing Street said in a statement, ahead of the WHO Global Health Summit in Rome on Friday, Johnson held talks with WHO Director-General Tedros Adnom Ghebayius to discuss the next steps to deal with the epidemic. Of the British government.

The WHO, in collaboration with the British Foundation Wellcome Trust and other international partners, will coordinate the program to “identify, locate and share data on new forms of coronovirus and monitor vaccine resistance in populations”, the note detailed.

“The world should never be surprised by a virus spreading among us without surveillance. We need to build a 21st century disease surveillance system that allows real-time data sharing, rapid genetic sequencing and reactions. Is. Johnson said.

A “global pandemic radar” would identify “emerging pathogens” and facilitate “rapid development of essential vaccines and treatments”.

The WHO director general, for his part, stressed that Kovid-19 showed “the critical need for a strong and modern system to keep the world ahead of emerging diseases”.

“The United Kingdom has set a strong example of pathogen surveillance and sequencing, as well as vaccine development,” said Ghebreyes, who welcomed that the British government was “going to cooperate with WHO and strengthen global surveillance.” EFE

© EFE 2021. Redistribution and redistribution of all or some of the content of Efe’s services is expressly prohibited, without the prior and express consent of the EFE SA agency.