UK —Wellcome Sanger Institute has launched a large-scale surveillance program of respiratory viruses in the UK that could provide an “early-warning system” for future outbreaks, as well as help to develop effective vaccines.
Launched this week by the British genomics and genetics research center, it will build on the work the organization did sequencing millions of COVID-19 genomes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The institute says its Respiratory Virus & Microbiome Initiative aims to develop the capability for routine genomic surveillance of respiratory viruses, including influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Furthermore, it will monitor for emerging pathogens.
The announcement comes amid rising numbers of excess deaths in the UK, amid what the British Medical Journal called a surge in flu cases which is putting severe pressure on NHS services.
The data generated by the initiative will lead to a better understanding of common pathogens present in the UK, act as an early warning system for new viruses, support public health responses, and enable research into the transmission and evolution of respiratory microorganisms.
Better understanding of which pathogen strains are in circulation will help to generate new vaccines and ensure existing ones are likely to be protective.
The team will initially establish a test from a single nose swab that can sequence the genome of COVID-19, the flu, and other common respiratory viruses.
Ultimately, they will aim to determine all of the genes and all of the species – including viral, bacterial, and fungal species – in a single swab.
With that information, they will have a view of the respiratory virus dynamics in the UK, and make the extensive viral genome dataset available publicly.
“Genomic sequencing offers an incredible opportunity to track viruses globally,” said Gordon Dougan, the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Director of Infectious Disease.
“It can give researchers and policymakers a finger on the pulse of where and how they are circulating. This is vital information for preparing healthcare and research systems“
He added that the initiative is an “important step” in establishing monitoring systems in the UK that can track outbreaks of viruses, and could provide a blueprint for virus tracking in other countries too.
The researchers will work with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) as well as other public health bodies in the UK.
The institute said its program will also enable a routine surveillance program for respiratory pathogens, which will provide actionable data to inform public health decisions.
With the initiative, the Wellcome Sanger Institute aims “to help answer some of the most pressing public health questions,” said Dr. Ewan Harrison, who is heading the program.
“Ultimately, we hope to contribute to global efforts to further establish pathogen genomics for routine public health and research, and as part of pandemic preparedness.”
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