In a recent development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new network known as CoViNet to strengthen global expertise and capacities for detecting, monitoring, and assessing coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and other novel coronaviruses that are of public health importance. CoViNet builds on the WHO COVID-19 reference laboratory network established at the beginning of the pandemic, with an initial focus on SARS-CoV-2.
However, the network will now address a wider range of coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and potential new variants. Comprised of 36 laboratories from 21 countries across all WHO regions, CoViNet aims to enhance surveillance efforts for human, animal, and environmental sources of coronaviruses. A recent meeting in Geneva brought together representatives from these labs to finalize an action plan for 2024-2025, ensuring that WHO Member States are better prepared to detect, assess, and respond to coronavirus-related health threats.
The collaboration within CoViNet emphasizes a One Health approach by combining expertise in human, animal, and environmental health to monitor and evaluate the evolution and spread of coronaviruses. Enhanced surveillance, laboratory capacity, sequencing
