Workshop on Pathogen genomic surveillance: a new powerful tool for a OneHealth approach in the Pacific (SPOP)

Pathogen genomic surveillance can provide insight into the evolution of pathogens as well as into the genetic basis of changes in virulence or resistance to interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 was implemented by many countries, including in the Pacific region. This genomic monitoring has made it possible to identify the appearance of variants and their spread in the population. Interestingly, beyond SARS-COV-2, genomic surveillance can be applied to pathogens of interest for the region including leptospirosis, antibiotic resistant bacteria, dengue fever and respiratory viruses, but also animal pathogens including environmental component. Laboratories and public institutes in human, animal and environmental health must now integrate genomics into their surveillance networks. Moreover, draft recommendations from the 2022 Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) meeting held 25-27 October 2022 include a recognition of the critical need for a coordinated One Health approach to animal, environment and human health and a request to partners to continue supporting PICTs to adopt

the OH approach. The Pacific region must develop pathogens genomics research and initiatives in order to better anticipate the risks of outbreaks and promote early responses to new challenges.

The objective of this workshop, organised by the Institut Pasteur in New Caledonia and its collaborators, is to bring together stakeholders in research, human, animal and environmental health and public health, involved or interested in conducting research and surveillance programs in the Pacific region in connection with the genomic surveillance in a OH concept.

Contact: ipnc-spop@pasteur.fr