A landmark research led by Duke-NUS Medical College revealed that regardless of the latest pandemic, outbreak detection efforts stay under-resourced in South and Southeast Asia, with solely about half the nations reviewed having built-in pathogen genomic surveillance initiatives of their nationwide plans. Revealed in Nature Microbiology at present, the research additionally identifies key priorities to reinforce the preparedness of the area towards future pandemics.
The research, performed over 12 months between 2022 and 2023, analyses responses on genomic sequencing capability for pathogen detection from 13 out of 19 nations that make up South and Southeast Asia.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significance of genomic surveillance, which was very important in figuring out SARS-CoV-2, monitoring its variants and designing COVID-19 vaccines. Initially centered on monitoring SARS-CoV-2, these investments are actually getting used to deal with different illness priorities together with drug-resistant tuberculosis, food-borne bacterial infections, dengue or to trace the avian influenza A (H5N1) present outbreak.
Whereas all 13 nations have nationwide capability for genomic sequencing, solely 7 of the 13 assessed nations have built-in pathogen genomic sequencing into their nationwide strategic plans for infectious illness surveillance. Moreover, solely 6 nations have established tips for utilizing pathogen genomics for infectious illness surveillance. The absence of nationwide tips for pathogen genomic surveillance complicates implementation and useful resource allocation. Closing these gaps is essential for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of infectious illness surveillance and response programs.
Assistant Professor Ruklanthi de Alwis, Deputy Director of Duke-NUS’ Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, mentioned:
“Though it’s encouraging to see some capability for pathogen genomics sequencing, together with in lower-resourced nations in our area, there may be nonetheless room for strengthening it. It’s important that pathogen sequencing is used to maximise public well being influence by way of infectious illness surveillance, response and management. Assessing the present state and wishes was a vital first step.”
The paper additionally recognized 5 particular challenges confronted by the area in adopting genomics sequencing for infectious illness surveillance:
- Funding: International locations reported a reliance on exterior funders for pathogen sequencing. Throughout the 13 nations surveyed, 57 per cent of monetary and different sources come from exterior donors, adopted by the general public sector (32 per cent) and tutorial establishments (6 per cent).
- Skilled manpower: Restricted availability of skilled laboratory workers and workers skilled in bioinformatics for genomic sequencing processing and outcomes’ evaluation.
- Value: The price of genomic sequencing-related tools is prohibitively excessive and plenty of resource-limited nations in Asia report paying larger costs for genomic sequencing in contrast with higher-income nations.
- Provide chain: The provision chain for genomic sequencing tools and reagents is sluggish, with new orders averaging two months to achieve laboratories.
- Turnaround time: Delays of a number of weeks between pattern assortment and the supply of genomic knowledge hinder the well timed use of this info to information public well being actions.
Dr Thimothy John Dizon from the Analysis Institute for Tropical Drugs within the Philippines mentioned:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a essential wake-up name for well being programs worldwide, highlighting the immense worth of genomics in combating pathogens and shaping public well being responses. The intricate nature of genomics calls for a metamorphosis in our surveillance practices and has considerably bolstered collaboration among the many Philippines’ public well being laboratories, surveillance models and tutorial establishments. To maximise these developments, it’s important to strengthen and maintain investments by fostering broader collaboration and partnerships each inside the area and on a world scale.”
Dr Khoo Yoong Khean, Scientific Officer from Duke-NUS’ Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, added:
“Pathogen genomics is an innovation with vital public well being influence, and our complete area would profit from steering on successfully planning and budgeting for genomics. Asia faces a excessive threat of rising infectious illness outbreaks because of components reminiscent of dense populations, excessive mobility charges, poor water and sanitation situations, frequent human-animal interactions, local weather stress, and a quickly altering surroundings. Strengthening early detection by way of infectious illness surveillance is essential for regional outbreak preparedness.”
Methodology of the research
This research was performed in collaboration with companions from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Participation was voluntary and the research included knowledge from all 13 nations.
Key companions in every of the collaborating nations have been recognized to participate in an in-depth survey, leading to a complete of 42 main native establishments contributing knowledge. These organisations hailed from numerous sectors, together with authorities entities, tutorial establishments, public laboratories, and non-governmental organisations.
Primarily based on survey responses, 25 abstract indicators have been then chosen and calculated to judge the regional standing of pathogen genomic surveillance. These indicators cowl areas reminiscent of partnerships, financing, insurance policies and tips, provide chain, laboratory infrastructure, bioinformatics, high quality assurance, and knowledge sharing and influence.
The research was printed beneath the Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI), a regional consortium hosted by Duke-NUS that’s devoted to advancing pathogen genomics. The consortium has established a specialised coaching academy at Duke-NUS, enabling nations to collaborate by way of tailor-made programmes that tackle precedence well being threats in Asia. Key companions on this work embody the Bioinformatics Institute at Singapore’s Company for Science Know-how and Analysis.
In collaboration with the US Centres for Illness Management and Prevention (US CDC), Asia PGI can be organising a joint workshop later this 12 months on nationwide planning and implementation of pathogen genomics for infectious illness surveillance.
Professor Linfa Wang, Government Director, Programme for Analysis in Epidemic Preparedness and REsponse (PREPARE), added:
“Whereas genomics is crucial for surveillance, nations additionally want new instruments of their outbreak response toolkit. PREPARE and Asia PGI will proceed working with regional companions to reinforce resilience to future epidemics and pandemics, and in the long run, leveraging genomics capability to quickly develop new diagnostics and vaccines might be a vital space of assist for our efforts.”
