The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the Scientific Advisory Group for Origin of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) as a permanent advisory body to enhance understanding and response to emerging diseases. Launched in July 2021, SAGO’s primary mission is to scrutinize the emergence of new diseases that have the potential to turn into pandemics or become endemic.
Introduction to SAGO
The SAGO was formed as part of the WHO’s continuous efforts to prepare for and prevent global health crises. This group is composed of experts from various fields, including epidemiology, virology, genomics, and public health. Its establishment reflects the need for a dedicated entity to provide scientific and technical advice to the WHO on matters related to novel pathogens.
Objectives of SAGO
The main objective of SAGO is to thoroughly examine and understand emerging diseases. It aims to advise the WHO on the necessary steps to uncover the origins of such diseases, with an immediate focus on the COVID-19 virus. SAGO’s work is critical in guiding the WHO on how to manage current and future threats posed by new and re-emerging pathogens.
Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases
Emerging diseases are defined as those that:
– Have not previously occurred in humans,
– Have occurred before but are now recognized as a distinct disease, or
– Have affected humans in the past but were confined to isolated areas.
On the other hand, re-emerging diseases are those that once caused significant health problems, saw a decline, but are now again posing a threat to public health. Notable examples of re-emerging diseases include SARS-CoV, Lassa fever, MERS-CoV, Ebola, Avian Influenza, Nipah, and Marburg virus diseases.
The Need for SAGO
The creation of SAGO is a response to the urgent need for a comprehensive global framework to study pathogens. This body will not only investigate the origins of pathogens but also provide a holistic approach to understanding the emergence of zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans. By advising the WHO on prioritizing studies and field investigations, SAGO plays a pivotal role in shaping the global strategy against infectious diseases.
