GISAID

GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data) is a global science initiative and primary source that provides open-access to genomic data of influenza viruses and the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

GISAID was launched in 2008, in response to the H5N1 avian influenza. It was established as a mechanism to share influenza data, following the reluctance of certain countries to share their data due to concerns about intellectual property rights.

Function

GISAID promotes the international sharing of all influenza virus sequences, related clinical and epidemiological data associated with human viruses, and geographical as well as species-specific data associated with avian and other animal viruses. GISAID does so by overcoming disincentives/hurdles that discourage or prevent sharing of influenza data.

Role in COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GISAID has played a crucial role in the global response. It has served as the primary source of genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the disease, with laboratories around the world submitting their sequences to the database.

See also

• Influenza
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Genomics

External links

• Official website

GISAID Resources
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