Optimizing and expanding pathogen WGS infrastructure and capacity for public health purposes within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

ongoing

With this proposal NLWGSHERA2 in Work Packages (WP) 5-7, the Netherlands will consolidate and enhance the work started under the HERA Incubator, NLWGSHERA1. Through this grant we will reach WGS capacity and capability for infectious disease Public Health (PH) hazards throughout the entire Kingdom. This includes establishing WGS by our Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), strengthening the SeqNeth-network and enhancing the overall skill-base, expanding from SARS-CoV-2 WGS to other relevant pathogens and AMR, and to develop and pilot the new laboratory surveillance platform and corresponding processes. The project core team will remain the same and hence ensures continuity. For the OCT, in WP5 the aim is to start sequencing at both labs and to continue training and trouble-shooting the professionals of both labs (two islands) and all PH professionals of the six OCT. Additionally, to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and facilitate decision making and prioritization processes concerning other pathogens for PH WGS and solutions addressing existing data sharing needs. For SeqNeth, in WP6 we continue the development of the WGS training materials, continue offering training and facilitate and enhance intra- and interregional and national multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer. This includes prioritization and decision making processes for both other pathogens to sequence and data sharing platform and processes. For data sharing, in WP7 a pilot implementation of the laboratory surveillance platform will be made and further developed in close collaboration with all stakeholders involved at national and regional levels. By the end of the project we will have delivered among reports, a plan on sequence reporting also internationally and on continuation/sustainability and advancement of the work.