The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a three-part guide describing how whole genome sequencing (WGS) can be used as tool to strengthen foodborne illness surveillance and response. The first part covers WGS for foodborne disease surveillance and response, the second part relates to WGS for outbreak investigations, and the third part discusses WGS for routine surveillance.
First, the guide explains the minimum capacity requirements of a foodborne illness surveillance and response system prior to considering the implementation of WGS. The requirements include epidemiological capacity for detecting outbreaks and conducting outbreak investigations, laboratory capacities to test clinical specimens, and capacity within the food safety system in order to respond to events and carry out control measures.