Tedros Ghebreyesus October 13 announced names of 26 experts who will advise WHO on developing framework to define studies into origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens
The emergence of new viruses with the potential to spark epidemics and pandemics is “a fact of nature” and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that led to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, is not the last, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said October 13, 2021.
He said so while announcing the names of 26 experts for the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) — which will advise the health body on developing a framework to define and guide studies into the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.
“While SARS-CoV-2 is the latest such virus, it will not be the last,” he said.
The 26 experts were selected from over 700 applications, and were chosen for their world-class expertise and experience in a range of disciplines, as well as their geographic and gender diversity. We thank all those who expressed interest in SAGO. https://t.co/LU53mM3obh
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 13, 2021
The team of 26, selected from over 700 applications, will be responsible for the following:
The experts have been selected from across fields such as epidemiology, animal health, ecology, clinical medicine, virology, genomics, molecular epidemiology, molecular biology, biology, food safety, biosafety, biosecurity and public health.
He said understanding the origins of newer pathogens is essential for preventing future outbreaks with epidemic and pandemic potential and requires a broad range of expertise.
“We are very pleased with the calibre of experts selected for SAGO from around the world, and look forward to working with them to make the world safer,” he added.
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