Harnessing Early Warning Systems: A Game-Changer for Disaster and Pandemic Response

An effective response to extreme events is challenging given the uncertainty associated with the hazard. Early warning is a powerful tool in improving the way we combat various types of disasters, including pandemics. 

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has announced it will partner with Oxford Nanopore, seeking to achieve improved diagnostic capabilities, with patients presenting symptoms of severe acute respiratory infections will be diagnosed within a 6-hour timeframe.

The goal is to enable monitoring of potential bacterial or viral disease outbreaks, as well as minimising the time between the emergence of a new outbreak and actions taken to contain the spread and treat those affected.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-create-world-first-early-warning-system-for-pandemics