As international travel and globalization continue to facilitate the spread of infectious disease and climate change forces population migrations, international communication regarding deadly outbreaks is essential for preparing for and defending against pandemics.
A study recently published in the journal Global Challenges examines the effectiveness of the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data. Virus data sharing has been previously impeded by several factors including competition between scientists regarding research publication, government interference due to perceived economic ramifications and funding issues. The study's authors suggest GISAID serves as a blueprint for successful infectious disease data sharing.
Here are five things to know about GISAID.
1. The initiative was first conceptualized of 10 years ago. Its formation was spurred by the rise of public concern over highly pathogenic avian influenza.
2. The organization established the EpiFlu database in Germany in 2009. With more than 1,000 stored genetic sequences, it is the world's most comprehensive database on influenza.
3. GISAID has more than 6,500 users worldwide.
4. The World Health Organization and collaborating influenza centers use and contribute to the EpiFlu database.
5. For the Global Challenges study, researchers examined 20 interviews conducted with key informants in the international infectious disease community and scientific literature. The researchers found GISAID has contributed to global health by compiling the most complete database of high-quality influenza data in the world, facilitating the rapid sharing of virus information during recent outbreaks, supporting the WHO's seasonal flu vaccine strain selection process, creating informal apparatuses for resolving conflict and improving collaborative trust between several developing nations.
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