World Health Organization (WHO) has announced proposed members of the WHO Scientific Advisory Group (SAGO) for the study of the Origins of Novel Pathogens. SAGO will be advising WHO on the development of a global framework to define and guide studies into the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential, that includes probe of SARS-CoV-2 as well. “The emergence of new viruses with the potential to spark epidemics and pandemics is a fact of nature, and while SARS-CoV-2 is the latest such virus, it will not be the last. “Understanding where new pathogens come from is essential for preventing future outbreaks with epidemic and pandemic potential, and requires a broad range of expertise. We are very pleased with the calibre of experts selected for SAGO from around the world, and look forward to working with them to make the world safer” mentioned Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO on the occasion.
The 26 proposed SAGO members have expertise in a range of areas like epidemiology, animal health, ecology, clinical medicine, virology, genomics, molecular epidemiology, molecular biology, biology, food safety, biosafety, biosecurity, and public health. This composition of SAGO reflects geographic and gender diversity and members have been selected from more than 700 applications. WHO would be following its process, according to which there will now be a two-week public consultation period to receive feedback on the proposed SAGO members and set in place the modalities for SAGO’s first meeting, which is planned to take place after the consultation period. The final membership to the SAGO is subject to public consultation period and relevant WHO practices and procedures.
