WHO Publishes First Global Framework to Investigate Origins of Novel Pathogens

"Understanding when, where, how, and why pandemics begin is both a scientific and moral imperative," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The World Health Organization (WHO), supported by the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), has introduced a global framework to assist Member States in investigating the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens. This is the first comprehensive and structured approach to guide investigations into how novel pathogens arise, addressing a critical gap in global health preparedness.

The framework includes a detailed guide for scientific investigations, focusing on six key areas: early case identification, human epidemiology, human-animal interface studies, environmental and vector studies, genomics, and biosafety. These studies aim to detect pathogen sources, trace transmission pathways, and identify potential animal reservoirs and vectors. Crucially, it also assesses the possibility of laboratory-related breaches in biosecurity.

The guidance provided by WHO is designed to help scientists, researchers, and health authorities initiate and carry out multidisciplinary investigations, offering recommendations on necessary tools and resources. It emphasizes the need for global collaboration, transparency, and the rapid sharing of results to prevent future outbreaks and pandemics.

"Understanding when, where, how, and why pandemics begin is both a scientific and moral imperative," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The framework aligns with international health regulations and adopts a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Established in 2021, SAGO has played a key role in developing this framework as part of WHO’s efforts to enhance global health emergency preparedness. The findings from pathogen origin investigations are critical for preventing spillover events from animals to humans and reducing the risk of future pandemics.