WHO guiding principles for pathogen genome data sharing

Overview

WHO encourages the sharing of pathogen genome data to protect global public health. Sharing of pathogen genome data is critical for preventing, detecting, and responding to epidemics and pandemics at national and international levels, and is in the interest of all Member States. The regular collection and sharing of such data are also important for monitoring and responding to endemic diseases and for tracking antimicrobial resistance to inform policy decisions.

The target audience for this document is technical staff at public health agencies and researchers involved in the prevention and control of endemic, epidemic, and pandemic diseases.