SORS: The World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence: a global collaboration to detect and understand health risks

Abstract: The World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, located in Berlin, is a pioneering initiative that aims to revolutionize global health surveillance and response to future pandemics and epidemics.

The WHO Pandemic Hub serves as a collaborative platform, bringing together experts from diverse fields such as data science, public health, and social and environmental sciences. Its primary objective is to enhance early detection and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases with pandemic or epidemic potential. By leveraging technology, the Pandemic Hub strives to facilitate real-time monitoring, detection, and assessment of potential health threats.

The WHO Pandemic Hub actively engages with partners worldwide, fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing to build a robust global network for pandemic and epidemic intelligence. Through collaborative research projects, capacity building programs, and information exchange, the Pandemic Hub empowers countries to strengthen their own surveillance systems and response mechanisms.

The WHO Pandemic Hub emphasizes the ethical use of data and privacy protection, ensuring that the rights of individuals and communities are respected in the context of pandemic intelligence. This commitment to data ethics underpins the Hub's approach to responsible and inclusive pandemic preparedness.

The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin serves as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making for global health security. Its multidisciplinary approach and global partnerships contribute to the collective effort of preventing, detecting, and responding to future pandemics and epidemics, safeguarding the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

Short Bio: Dr. Morgan is a public health leader and epidemiologist with extensive international experience in public health surveillance and emergency response. Dr. Morgan is currently the Director of Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Systems for the World Health Organization, based in Berlin. Dr. Morgan has conducted epidemiologic investigations of infectious disease outbreaks, chemical and radiation exposure incidents, natural disasters, and humanitarian civil conflicts. Dr. Morgan has worked for the World Health Organization since 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007-2016), and the UK National Health Service/ Health Protection Agency (2002-2007).

Short Bio: Dr. AbdelMalik is an epidemiologist and public health informatician currently leading the Intelligence Innovation and Integration unit at the World Health Organization’s Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin. The unit strengthens public health intelligence capacity around the world through cross-disciplinary projects and initiatives. Prior to joining WHO, Philip worked in Canada at the Public Health Agency of Canada (2004-2017) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health / University of Toronto (1999-2003). Philip’s work has almost always been in the context of emergency preparedness and response activities… including trying to raise two young (mostly) adorable children with his wife from down under.