The World Health Organization will set up a new epidemic data, surveillance and analysis center in Berlin. This was announced by the Director General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The objective? Strengthen cooperation between countries and scientific institutes around the world and help identify the first signs of a possible pandemic.
Global epidemic forecasting center opens soon in Berlin
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced this Wednesday, May 5, the creation of a global center for forecasting and detecting epidemics. This new center ” will open this year And will be based in Berlin. The goal? By working with partners around the world, this platform will aim to ” predict, prevent, detect, prepare for and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks worldwide Explains the WHO.
The initiative must make it possible to go beyond simple detection to continuously assess components such as mobility, climate or animals to assess the threat. Beyond data and analysis tools, the platform’s mission is to monitor disease control systems, public acceptance and propagated lies. In addition, it must assist political and public health leaders to help them make decisions quickly.
Strengthen cooperation between countries to identify the first signs of a possible pandemic
According to Angela Merkel, “The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that we can only fight pandemics and epidemics together”. As for Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he explains that “ Covid-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in global pandemic and epidemic intelligence systems “. This is why the project aims to strengthen cooperation between countries in order to better identify the first signs of a possible pandemic.
According to the head of the World Health Organization “ Viruses move fast, but data can move even faster. With the right information, countries and communities can stay ahead of risks “. Especially since controversies have been provoked around China’s attitude at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is why he asserted that there is ” a consensus for strengthening warning systems “.
