Abstract
To the editor,
The recent surge in emerging infectious diseases reinforces the call for innovative, scalable surveillance strategies for global health. The surge and impact of the inducement caused by the pandemic of COVID-19 drew attention to the transformative possibilities as well as the glaring deficiencies of existing genomic surveillance systems, especially regarding timely detection and equitable coverage of data across diverse populations. 1 In 2025, crowdsourced, community-driven genomic data collection within public health infrastructure might constitute an advanced strategy for future pathogen early detection as well as global public health security.
High-throughput sequencing-based global genomic surveillance has emerged as the foundation for accurate identification, tracking, and characterization of novel pathogens, as well as epidemic intelligence. 1 During COVID-19, large-scale collaborative sequencing enabled close tracking of SARS-CoV-2 evolution and supported timely, effective public health responses. Recent reviews reveal deficiencies in surveillance coverage, especially in rural, low-resource, and underserved communities. These communities, with laboratory-level averages of approximately 0.12 per million population, underutilize nearly 51% of their maximum monthly sequencing capacity. 2 Such unmonitored areas delay the outbreak detection processes, resulting in increased risk of higher rates of uncontrolled transmission and the exacerbation of inequities in health. 2
Crowdsourced genomic surveillance, which enlists efforts from community members, local clinics, and the regional academic institutions, is an answer to democratizing access to surveillance infrastructures and thereby addressing these challenges. Recently, these community-based initiatives in southern US universities and health centers have been useful in improving genomic data representation and resulted in the early detection of emerging variants like Omicron BA.2.75 and BQ.1.1. Other similar participatory surveillance models in Africa have been initiated and supported by regional public health agencies, bringing very rapid sequencing coverage and bridging major data gaps to enable nimble outbreak responses. 2
Crowdsourced approaches add granularity to genomic data by providing rich metadata, such as vaccination status and precise geographic coordinates, that are important for tracking transmission dynamics and managing targeted interventions.2,3 Real-time genomic surveillance has also been a helpful tool in controlling outbreaks caused by many pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, dengue, and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.1,3 For instance, during the dengue outbreak of 2019 in the Philippines, genetic sequencing helped identify and monitor serotype-specific transmission, directly informing vector control and vaccination campaigns. 3
Despite such major technological strides, the implementation process is facing some serious challenges. Firstly, the integration of crowd-generated data into national and international networks requires addressing technical barriers concerning data standardization among surveillance systems. 1 Secondly, ethical concerns like informed consent and data privacy necessitate strong governance frameworks to ensure public trust and sustained participation. 1 Lastly, sustained investment in capacity building is also necessary, particularly in underserved areas. 2
To summarize, crowdsourced genomic surveillance is an important change in the public health strategy of 2025, offering early detection of newly emerging pathogens. Development and integration of community-based genomic surveillance networks within appropriate ethical and investment frameworks should be prioritized by policymakers and funding agencies to enhance pandemic preparedness.
Footnotes
Funding
The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.