WHO Launches Global Network for Monitoring Coronaviruses

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new network called CoViNet on Wednesday. The network aims to facilitate early and accurate detection, monitoring, and assessment of public health significant coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and other novel coronaviruses.

In a statement, Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention said: "This new global network for coronaviruses will ensure timely detection, monitoring, and assessment of coronaviruses of public health importance."

According to WHO, CoViNet is an expansion of WHO's COVID-19 reference laboratory network that was established during the early days of the pandemic. The network initially focused on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, but now it will cover a more extensive range of coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and potential new coronaviruses.

CoViNet is a network of 36 global laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions, with expertise in human, animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance. The representatives from these laboratories convened in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday to finalize an action plan for 2024-2025. The plan aims to enhance the preparedness of WHO member states in early detection, risk assessment, and response to health challenges associated with coronaviruses.