Britain should be working with countries that also do genomic surveillance such as South Africa to persuade other countries to start doing it and advise them on how to implement it effectively. This could involve setting up a centralised database where countries can share information on new mutations of a pathogen in real time. In a scenario such as a pandemic where a day can make all the difference, having a joined-up response like this could lead to quicker public health decisions that could save many lives.
This wouldn’t be a costly policy as most developed countries should already have the necessary infrastructure to do genomic sequencing, and the financial cost of setting up a database would be miniscule compared to the damage that an undetected viral mutation could have on the global economy and public health. This could be a very exciting opportunity for preventing future pandemics and would show that Britain has the ability to lead the way in science and health in the post Brexit world.
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