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Pandemic Preparedness Capabilities

Integrative Outbreak Simulation: A One Health Approach for Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness


PI(s)/Head responsible for the resource:

René Kaden

Host organisation(s):

Uppsala University Hospital/Akademiska Sjukhuset Clinical Microbiology, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University

Resource description:

This collaborative project, including 6 PLP partners and the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) (see the full list of participants below), is designed to simulate an outbreak scenario by dispatching clinical samples that are spiked with unusual microorganisms to the contributing clinical microbiology laboratories. These samples are delivered in a manner that facilitates enrichment and mimick authentic patient and wastewater samples. The scenarios may encompass complex, potentially zoonotic outbreaks, thus embracing the One Health concept by engaging partners from both human and animal health.

All project phases will be meticulously documented, and progress updates on the outbreak scenario will be shared via the Swedish Pathogens Portal. This approach ensures real-time project monitoring and public accessibility to information.

The primary objectives include assessing response times and the laboratory’s capacity to detect and identify the pathogen, developing diagnostic methods, treatment recommendations, but also scaling up sequencing, bioinformatics, and investigate storage capacities at the National Pandemic Center (NPC). The project leverages the synergistic effects of collaborations between laboratories. Participating laboratories will receive samples in a time series, emulating a natural pathogen distribution.

The project serves to evaluate pandemic preparedness effectiveness and identify areas for potential enhancement. Through these concerted efforts, this initiative aims to strengthen our collective capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging infectious threats.

List of participants:

In total, there are 10 participants in 11 institutes:

  • Akademiska Sjukhus Uppsala
  • Clinical Genomics Stockholm (SciLifeLab infrastructure unit)
  • Clinical Genomics Umeå (SciLifeLab infrastructure unit)
  • Clinical Genomics Örebro (SciLifeLab infrastructure unit)
  • Karolinska Institute (P3 facility)
  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • Linköping University Hospital
  • National Pandemic Centre (NPC)
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)
  • Swedish Pathogens Portal
  • The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Contact information:

René Kaden
Uppsala University Hospital/Akademiska Sjukhuset Clinical Microbiology, Dept of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University
Email: rene.kaden@medsci.uu.se or rene.kaden@akademiska.se