Editorial
Welcome to the fourth issue of the PHA4GE newsletter for 2024!
2024 saw the fight to keep diseases like cholera, Marburg virus, influenza, and
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at bay. While monitoring challenges from SARS-
CoV-2, avian influenza, and mpox, the dedication of the global health community has
ensured that large-scale outbreaks were contained—proof of resilience and
collaboration.
As we wrap up another year, this last PHA4GE quarterly newsletter of 2024 captures
various achievements in the public health genomics. Highlights you shouldn’t miss
include a read on the AMRColab tool and listening to a webinar explaining the tool.
Open data sharing is at the heart of PHA4GE and the PHA4GE Microbial Data-
Sharing Accord suggests key principles on the secondary usage of microbial
datasets. Quality control is also key when sharing public health sequence datasets,
and we present a publication on this.
We celebrate the success of Pathoplexus in being recognised as one of the
pioneering organisations promoting open research data in Switzerland. Along the
same lines, a 40 year anniversary of the International Nucleotide Sequence
Database Collaboration (INSDC) in making genomic data open-access is no small
feat. Ground-breaking work is also commendable on the AusPathoGen. a national
program in Australia integrating genomics into public health.
Other reads focus on a call for strengthening pathogen genomics capacity in
Southeast Asia and South Asia; and reporting the sequencing of an mpox strain in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Let’s continue to push boundaries, foster inclusivity, and unwavering in advancing
science for a healthier, more resilient world.
Here’s to another year of progress and collaboration!
Ranga Matima
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