WHO launches CoViNet

Source-This post on WHO launches CoViNet has been created based on the article “WHO launches ‘CoViNet’ — a global laboratory to monitor emerging coronaviruses” published in “Down to Earth” on 30 March 2024.

Why in the news?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently launched a new network for coronaviruses, CoViNet.

About CoViNet

Description-It is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human, animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance.

Objective-To identify and monitor potentially novel coronaviruses that could emerge shortly.

Features–

1) It currently comprises 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions.

2)There will be 3 Indian laboratories namely; the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute in this network.

What is the significance of CoViNet?

1) It will have animal health and environmental surveillance. This will ensure timely risk assessment to feed WHO policies and  support protective measures.

2) It will support the building of more laboratories to monitor MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance In low- and middle-income countries.

3) Data that will be generated through this network will guide the work of WHO’s Technical Advisory Groups on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) and others. This will ensure that global health policies and tools are based on the latest scientific information.
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