CoViNet

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a new global laboratory network called CoViNet.
• This network aims to identify and monitor potentially dangerous new coronaviruses that could emerge in the future.

ABOUT CORONAVIRUS NETWORK (COVINET):

• CoViNet is designed to facilitate and coordinate global expertise and capacities for the early detection, monitoring, and assessment of various coronaviruses.
• Beyond focusing solely on SARS-CoV-2, CoViNet will also assess other coronaviruses, including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) with a particular emphasis on enhancing laboratory capacity and surveillance.
• MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus(transmitted between animals and people). It has been identified and linked to human infections in dromedary camels in several Member States in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
• The establishment of CoViNet builds upon the foundation laid by the WHO Covid-19 reference laboratory network, initially set up during the early stages of the pandemic in January 2020.
• CoViNet includes 36 labs from 21 countries across all six WHO regions, with three Indian labs: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune, and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.
• It emphasises a comprehensive One Health approach encompassing human, animal, and environmental health.
• The network’s objective is to equip WHO Member States with enhanced capabilities for early detection, risk assessment, and response to coronavirus-related health challenges.

ABOUT WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION:

• The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• It connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
• Its headquarters are situated in Geneva, Switzerland.
• There are 194 Member States, 150 country offices, six regional offices.