How can data help prevent the next pandemic?

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Genomic data are already transforming how we understand infectious diseases, but the true potential lies in how data are used. A thoughtful, integrated approach to data — involving not just collection, but timely analysis, sharing, and application — will be key to strengthening public health systems before the next pandemic strikes. At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) is contributing to this goal by supporting data-informed public health responses through collaborative research and capacity-building projects.

Consider two major respiratory pandemics, a century apart: the Spanish flu in 1918 and COVID-19 in 2019. Both pandemics caused widespread illness and death, but the differences in response to them highlight the significant progress science and public health have made.

When the Spanish flu emerged, the virus responsible was not identified until 15 years later, and vaccines were only developed after the pandemic had ended. In contrast, the virus that causes COVID-19 was sequenced within weeks, and vaccines began distribution within a year. This difference underscores how technological advances and coordinated scientific efforts have accelerated our ability to understand and respond to new threats.

Yet, scientific progress alone is not enough. During a pandemic, decision-making depends on many moving parts including governance, data sharing, health system capacity, and public trust. Despite faster science and data generation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global death toll remained devastating. This emphasised a critical challenge that remains: how do we better integrate scientific insights into timely, equitable, and effective public health actions?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid expansion of genomic surveillance infrastructure globally. Many countries now have the capacity to generate genomic data, which is a vital step. However, data systems remain fragmented. Analysis tools and databases are often siloed, built for single-use cases or specific diseases. Opportunities for integration, cross-sector collaboration, and crucially, public health impact can be missed as a result.

To address this, the GSU focuses on partnerships that apply genomic data in real-world contexts. Rather than acting as a central authority, the GSU works alongside national and regional stakeholders to support shared surveillance goals and make tools more accessible.

John Sillitoe, Director of the GSU, recently participated in a panel hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence and spoke about the value of data and the need to translate it into impact:

“The scale of data generated during COVID-19 showed what's possible. But turning data into public health impact still requires more than infrastructure. We need tools that support integration across disciplines and borders, and approaches that prioritise usability and sustainability.”

John Sillitoe,
Director of the Genomic Surveillance Unit, Wellcome Sanger Institute

In order to move beyond data towards public health impact, the GSU works closely with partners to understand needs and build sustainable systems that add value. Examples of the GSU’s work are listed below.

These projects demonstrate an approach to genomic surveillance that is multi-pathogen, climate-aware, and embedded in local public health systems. By focusing on usability, capacity strengthening, and shared ownership, this work aims to improve outbreak preparedness and response at both national and global levels.

To better prepare for future pandemics, we need systems that:

In this context, data is not just an input to scientific analysis; they are shared resources that can guide prevention, early detection and more targeted responses. This is data saving lives.

“As public health communities look ahead, the challenge is not only to generate more data, but to connect the right data to the right decision makers at the right time,” says John. “That is where the next gains in pandemic preparedness can be made and where initiatives like those supported by the GSU can help make a difference.”