South Africa is cementing its leadership role in global pandemic preparedness through a major expansion of its genomic surveillance partnership with Germany and the EU, with the next phase of the Genomic Surveillance Project launching at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Stellenbosch University’s epidemic response institute.
With a total investment of R12m, the project will boost real-time tracking of pathogens like influenza and H5N1 avian flu, support research infrastructure, and train the next generation of African scientists, reports the Cape Argus.
The project is a collaboration between CERI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the broader SAVax Programme. SAVax is co-funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and EU, implemented in partnership with the SA Department of Health and Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The new phase brings an additional R9m in funding to the total investment of R12m.
The funding will allow CERI to continue surveillance of high-priority pathogens, including respiratory threats like Avian influenza H5N1 and emerging coronaviruses, said Katja Fuehrer, specialist for monitoring and evaluation, communication, and commission management at GIZ.
“South Africa is uniquely positioned to play this role, having a strong industrial base, a highly skilled workforce, and some of the world’s leading research institutions. With SAVax, we are tapping into those strengths to bolster Africa’s ability to respond to future pandemics more independently and effectively.”
The first phase of the project, (from 2023 to 2024), sequenced more than 1 000 pathogen genomes, trained more than 50 African scientists, and improved data-sharing protocols to support more effective outbreak responses.
The new phase will scale these efforts even further by expanding genomic surveillance of respiratory pathogens, strengthening lab capacity in under-resourced provinces, and investing in the training of scientists at historically disadvantaged institutions in South Africa.
Establishing robust systems to monitor and analyse genetic information from pathogens helps South Africa to quickly detect and track changes in viruses proactively, enabling faster responses to outbreaks and enhancing pandemic preparedness in the country and the entire region.
Cape Argus PressReader article – SA enhances pandemic readiness (Open access)
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