In this webinar, we had an update on the global circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their detection using SNPs screening assays to support surveillance; and shared experiences from Brazil and Kazakhstan on development and implementation of SNPs assays for variant monitoring, their role within the variants surveillance strategy, how data is reported and used, and common issues faced by labs implementing the assays.
Our speakers were:
Dr Lorenzo Subissi (WHO HQ, Geneva)
Dr Maya Allan (WHO HQ, Geneva)
Dr Fernando Motta (Deputy Director of the Laboratory for Respiratory Viruses and Measles of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Brazil)
Dr Aidar Usserbayev (Virologist, Scientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring: National Reference laboratory for the control of viral infections, Almaty, Kazakhstan)
Webinar series held in English, with interpretation recordings available in French, Portuguese and Russian.
Launched in May 2020, this knowledge sharing platform aims to enhance WHO guidance dissemination and best practice sharing among public health laboratories globally. This WHO platform contributes to the ACT-Accelerator Diagnostics pillar activities by enabling country preparedness. It is funded by the European Commission’s CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative.