The World Well being Group (WHO), the College of Geneva (UNIGE) and Geneva College Hospitals (HUG), yesterday formalized the designation of the College Hospital Centre for Rising Viral Ailments as a WHO collaborating middle for epidemic and pandemic illnesses. The latter kinds a part of the long-standing partnership between HUG, UNIGE and WHO, as mirrored by six joint collaborating facilities. This follows its intensive work lately as a WHO reference laboratory for the analysis of COVID-19, in addition to for different actions.
The Middle for Rising Viral Ailments gives distinctive public well being experience in Switzerland for the preparedness and response to viral epidemics and pandemics. It’s outfitted to hold out evaluation of essentially the most harmful viruses for human beings.
On the forefront over the last pandemic, its interventions deal with analysis, scientific administration and using particular therapies for viral infections. The middle will present WHO with technical help for scientific administration and the event of suggestions.
It would contribute to the sharing and analysis of diagnostic instruments to raised put together for future epidemics. As well as, the middle carries out primary and translational analysis geared toward enhancing the understanding of viral infections. The middle coordinates the viral illness experience of the Infectious Ailments Division, the Virology Laboratory, the Laboratory Medication Division, the Vaccinology Middle and the Tropical and Humanitarian Medication Division of the HUG.
For Bertrand Levrat, CEO of the HUG, ‘this new partnership additional strengthens the wonderful collaboration between the HUG and the WHO, which has constructed up over time based mostly on very concrete expertise. It’s an honor for the HUG to thus be carefully related to a vital mission of the World Well being Group.’
This designation by the WHO highlights the extent of experience of our establishments’ researchers. It additionally represents worldwide recognition and unparalleled visibility for our educational analysis.”
Cem Gabay, Dean, School of Medication, Université de Genève
Middle for the administration of extremely pathogenic viral infections
The middle homes the P3 and P4D excessive biosafety laboratory, a vital software for the nationwide reference laboratories for influenza (CNRI) and rising viruses (CRIVE). The latter advantages from the help of the Federal Workplace of Public Well being (OFSP) and, because of the infrastructures of the HUG, make it doable to have the one diagnostic laboratory obtainable 7 days every week for your entire Swiss confederation.
The middle performed a key function in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, the mpox epidemic, and is on the entrance line for the analysis of avian influenza (H5N1). It was concerned within the analysis and scientific administration of sufferers affected by the Ebola virus illness in Switzerland and West Africa, in addition to within the investigation of the primary accredited vaccine towards this illness.
It’s certainly one of two facilities in Switzerland licensed to take cost of sufferers suspected of or affected by extremely pathogenic viruses and viral haemorrhagic fevers.
The middle is below the duty of Prof. Laurent Kaiser, head doctor of the Infectious Ailments Division and Prof. Isabella Eckerle, assistant affiliate doctor, specialist in microbiology, virology and epidemiology of infectious illnesses. Each educate within the Division of Medication of the UNIGE School of Medication.
Analysis initiatives
The Middle for Rising Viral Ailments additionally has a primary analysis laboratory affiliated with the Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medication of the UNIGE School of Medication, which carries out quite a few initiatives in cooperation with worldwide and non-governmental organizations lively in low- and middle-income nations.
The middle additionally works on advanced viral syndromes akin to persistent viral infections or infections in folks with immunodeficiency. One of many main areas of analysis pertains to the laboratory evaluation of the chance of recent and rising zoonotic viruses by molecular and viral strategies, utilizing particular human cell tradition fashions, or animal reservoirs.
Discipline missions as a part of the response to epidemics
As a part of its cooperation with NGOs, akin to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or with worldwide organisations such because the WHO, physicians from the Middle for Rising Viral Ailments often participate in discipline missions. For instance, in April 2023, certainly one of its consultants, workers doctor, Dr Frédérique Jacquerioz Bausch, went on a one-month mission to Equatorial Guinea below the auspices of the WHO throughout an epidemic outbreak of Marburg virus illness.
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