WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research: report of the 23rd meeting, virtual meeting, 3-4 November 2021

Overview

The Committee discussed the implications for preparedness for smallpox-like events reflected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee noted how quickly diagnostics and vaccines could be developed and deployed when resources and political will were abundant. This rapidity was also due to the fact that the genetic sequence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had been shared worldwide. It was noted that in one country SARS-CoV-2 had been reconstructed in a laboratory from the viral genome sequence before the first case of COVID-19 had been reported, highlighting the benefits of synthetic biology technologies for accelerated development of diagnostics as well as the oft-described potential risks. Lessons learned about clinical care during the COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed.

The Committee noted that with a second antiviral therapeutic approved, the objectives of the research programme endorsed by the World Health Assembly were being met. Conditions under which the various treatments would be deployed would require consideration. It was further noted that resources developed for smallpox preparedness may be key to controlling the emergence of monkeypox, illustrating the potential near-term public health benefit arising from the variola virus research programme. The Committee suggested that the lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to inspire development efforts for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. Other recommendations offered by the Committee are summarized in the report.