A consensus statement on dual purpose pathogen surveillance systems: The always on approach

The COVID-19 pandemic progressed pathogen surveillance, from improved wastewater surveillance expertise and infrastructure, increased genomic sequencing capacity, to better integration between large datasets that informed policy decisions. Yet current systems are inadequate for a future facing frequent pandemics threats [1]. There is inequitable access to pathogen surveillance globally, with existing infrastructure favouring high-income countries resulting in blind spots for collective health resilience [2]. We are concerned that political attention and investment in pandemic preparedness is waning, with missed opportunities to respond to the concurrent crises posed by antimicrobial resistance.