International Pathogen Surveillance Network

The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) is a global network of pathogen genomic actors, brought together by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, to accelerate progress in pathogen genomics, and improve public health decision-making.

Pathogen genomic surveillance is the monitoring and analysis of the genetic material (the genome) of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. This surveillance involves the collection, sequencing, and analysis of genomic information of pathogens to understand their genetic makeup, evolution, and how they spread. Pathogen genomic surveillance was used widely during the COVID-19 pandemic to track and predict the evolution of the virus itself and can be used across diseases to inform public health outcomes and prepare for future pandemics and epidemics.

The IPSN brings together organizations from across sectors, income levels and geographies with a commitment to international cooperation and equity, and deep expertise in genomics data and technologies or scale-up of surveillance systems. It sets out to create a mutually supportive global network of genomic surveillance actors that amplifies and accelerates the work of its members to improve access and equity.