Table 1 Six key elements to include in investigations of the origins of novel pathogens presented in the global framework

From: A WHO global framework to guide investigations into origins of potentially epidemic and pandemic pathogens

Six technical elements of the global framework

Early investigations include investigations to discover the first identified cases/clusters/outbreaks to identify potential sources of exposure, identify the samples needed to be collected at the source, define the characteristics of the novel pathogen involved for establishment of diagnostic assays.

Human studies to understand the epidemiology of the disease, including clinical presentation, modes of transmission, pathology and earliest presence in syndromic surveillance samples.

• Human/Animal interface studies to identify potential animal reservoirs, intermediate hosts, and reverse zoonoses.

• Environmental and Ecological studies to identify insect vectors or other sources of infection as well as earliest presence in the environment.

Genomics and Phylogenetics studies to identify precursor strains, genomic characteristics, evolution in intermediate hosts and humans, and spatial distribution over time.

• Biosafety/Biosecurity studies to determine if a breach in laboratory or research activities may have been associated with the first cases of infection in humans.