WHO Global Framework for Pathogen Origins

Syllabus: Science and Technology: Health

Source: WHO

Context: WHO Launches First Global Framework For Understanding the Origins Of New Or Re-Emerging Pathogens

Framework Overview

• Developed by: SAGO (Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens)

• Established: By WHO in 2021; consists of global independent experts

• Key Principles: Aligns with International Health Regulations (IHR) and One Health approach IHR: A legally binding framework for global health responses One Health: Integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health

• IHR: A legally binding framework for global health responses

• One Health: Integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health

WHO Global Framework for Pathogen Origins:

About | Description

Purpose | To provide a unified approach for investigating new or re-emerging pathogens.

Developed By | World Health Organization (WHO) with support from SAGO (Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens).

Key Features | Comprehensive guidelines for investigating pathogen origins, including:

– Early Investigations: Source identification and sample collection.

– Human Studies: Epidemiology, transmission, and clinical presentation.

– Human/Animal Interface Studies: Identifying reservoirs and hosts.

– Vector Studies: Identifying insect vectors and environmental sources.

– Genomics and Phylogenetics: Understanding genetic evolution and distribution.

– Biosafety/Biosecurity Studies: Assessing potential lab-related breaches.

Objective | To prevent and contain health crises by understanding pathogen origins, with a focus on timely and transparent sharing of findings.

Call to Action | Countries are urged to conduct investigations promptly and share results transparently.

Significance | Aims to prevent future outbreaks and improve global health crisis responses.

What are Pathogens?

Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease in their hosts. They include:

• Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that can cause infections such as tuberculosis and strep throat.

• Example: Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis.

• Viruses: Smaller than bacteria, these agents invade host cells to replicate and cause diseases such as influenza and COVID-19.

• Example: SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19.

• Fungi: These can be single-celled or multicellular organisms that cause conditions like athlete’s foot and ringworm.

• Example: Candida albicans can cause yeast infections.

• Parasites: Organisms that live on or in a host and derive nutrients at the host’s expense, such as malaria and giardiasis.

• Example: Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria.

• Prions: Misfolded proteins that cause degenerative brain diseases, like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

• Example: The prion responsible for Mad Cow Disease.

How different pathogens impact humans, with examples:

Pathogen Type | Impact on Humans | Example

Bacteria | Cause infections can be treated with antibiotics. | Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat)

Viruses | Invade cells to replicate, causing diseases; vaccines available for prevention. | Influenza virus (flu)

Fungi | Cause infections in skin, nails, and lungs; antifungal treatments available. | Candida albicans (yeast infection)

Parasites | Live in or on the host, causing diseases; treatment often involves antiparasitic drugs. | Plasmodium falciparum (malaria)

Prions | Cause progressive, fatal brain diseases; no known cure. | Prion protein (Mad Cow Disease)

Significance

• Purpose: Address risks from known and novel pathogens (e.g., Ebola, SARS-CoV-1)

• Importance: Essential for preventing and managing health crises

• Historical Context: Could have made COVID-19 origin investigation more effective and less controversial

What is the Pandemic Treaty?

The Draft Pandemic Treaty, proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and member states, is an international agreement aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to pandemics and global health emergencies. It focuses on strengthening global cooperation and solidarity, covering aspects such as surveillance, detection, notification, access to health technologies, collaboration, and accountability. The deadline for this agreement is set for the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.

The treaty, based on principles of human rights and equity, responds to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its principal components include calls for:

• Increased global cooperation

• Strengthening of health systems

• Investment in research and development

• Transparency in information sharing

• Establishment of a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS) under the WHO

• Address gender disparities in the healthcare workforce, with emphasis on equal pay and promoting the representation and empowerment of health and care workers.

What is Disease X?

Disease X is a hypothetical pathogen or threat that could trigger a major future pandemic. Coined by scientists and the World Health Organization (WHO), it refers to a new agent, virus, bacterium, or fungus with no known treatment, belonging to any of the 25 families of viruses capable of causing illness in people. Added to the WHO’s Blueprint list of diseases in 2018, scientists believe Disease X could be 20 times more deadly than the recent SARS-Covid virus, emphasizing its potential as a serious microbial threat to humans in the future.

The WHO is undertaking initiatives, including the Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, the mRNA technology transfer hub, and the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, to enhance global preparedness and collaboration in the face of potential future outbreaks.

Mains Link:

Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without a Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (USPC 2014)

Prelims Link:

Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (UPSC 2019)

• Genetic predisposition of some people

• Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases

• Using antibiotics in livestock farming

• Multiple chronic diseases in some people

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)