LONDON — British Prime Minister on Friday launched plans for a new "Global Pandemic Radar" to identify emerging COVID-19 variants and track new diseases around the world, ahead of the Global Health Summit hosted by Italy and the European Union. The pathogen surveillance network will save lives and protect health systems by spotting diseases before they cause future pandemics and enabling the rapid development of vaccines, treatments and tests. According to the UK government's press statement, Johnson spoke to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus and Director of the Wellcome Trust, Jeremy Farrar on Thursday to agree on the next steps ahead of the G7. WHO will lead an implementation group, supported by the Wellcome Trust, to launch this new international partnership to identify, track and share data on new coronavirus variants and monitor vaccine resistance in populations. The British premier was updated on work already happening in this area, including the newly-opened global WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence based in Berlin. WHO surveillance has also identified the B.1.617 variant, first found in India, in more than 50 countries so far. The "Global Pandemic Radar" is expected to be fully up and running with a network of surveillance hubs before the end of 2021, significantly improving global health security going into next year. Commenting on the plans, Johnson said: "Tackling COVID-19 globally and ensuring we are better prepared for future health threats is an absolute priority for the UK's G7 presidency." "The world must never be caught unawares again by a virus spreading among us unchecked. We need to build a system of disease surveillance fit for the 21st century, with real-time data sharing and rapid genomic sequencing and response," he added. "A Global Pandemic Radar will ensure that we are vigilant to new variants and emerging pathogens, and can rapidly develop the vaccines and treatments needed to stop them in their tracks," according to the UK prime minister. Johnson first called for a global network of disease surveillance centers as part of a "5 point plan" at the UN Security Council last September. The UK commissioned a report from the Wellcome Trust and has been working with WHO, other governments' centers of disease control, NGOs and research organizations to take it forward as part of our G7 Presidency. Praising the UK's efforts, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the vital need for a robust, modern system to keep the world ahead of emerging diseases through active monitoring at the community level, swift and accurate sequencing of new pathogens, and data-sharing across the globe." "The UK has set a strong example for pathogen surveillance and sequencing, as well as vaccine development. I am delighted that under PM Johnson, the UK will partner with WHO to contribute to stronger global surveillance and a safer world," WHO chief added.
