‘Viruses are moving fast’: WHO opens data center to prevent epidemics in Berlin

His boss World Health Organization Tentos Antanom Gebregesus and German Chancellor Angela Merkel today announced the creation of a global center for prevention and detection epidemics in Berlin.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in global pandemic and epidemic information systems,” said the WHO director. at a press conference.

“Viruses move fast, but data can move even faster. “Having good information, countries and communities can always be one step ahead of the risks.”

In the case of Covid-19, the first infections were reported on December 31, 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, while the epidemic was already gaining ground. The international experts assigned by the WHO to study the origin of the virus agree that the epidemic may have started from late September to early December.

“It is the EIOS system (the WHO epidemiological surveillance platform) that collected the first reports of a new virus in Wuhan, China, in the early hours of December 31, 2019,” Tetros explained.

“Our goal is the Hub of the WHO. to do this job faster, producing better data and better analysis, “he said.

With funding of 30 million euros per year from Germany at the moment, it will be part of the WHO. which estimates that more funds will be needed.

The Berlin-based platform, which will undoubtedly open in September, will work with partners around the world to “anticipate, anticipate, detect, prepare and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks throughout the world.” people “, explained the WHO.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us that only together can we fight pandemics and epidemics,” Merkel said.

“The new WHO Node will be a global platform in the field of pandemic prevention, bringing together various governmental, academic and private institutions. I am happy that the WHO He chose Berlin and I invite partners from all over the world to contribute to the project, “he said.

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