The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in conjunction with the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), is set to convene the inaugural Global Surveillance Summit, an exclusive event designed to address the mounting threats from new and resurgent infectious diseases. Scheduled for December 3, 2024, in Cape Town, the summit will run alongside the 20th International Congress on Infectious Diseases, underscoring the urgency of pandemic preparedness.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, new public health challenges like Mpox and Marburg virus have underscored weaknesses in global health surveillance and response systems. The summit will serve as a critical forum for leaders, frontline health professionals, and innovators to share knowledge, refine epidemic intelligence techniques, and reinforce global data-sharing networks. By fostering collaboration across regions and disciplines, the summit aims to build a cohesive response to infectious disease threats.

Dr. Paul Tambyah, ISID President, noted, “COVID-19 demonstrated the necessity of a unified, equitable approach to monitoring and controlling infectious diseases. This summit will unite scientists, clinicians, and public health advocates focused on human, animal, and planetary health to ensure robust pandemic preparedness.”

An ambitious agenda is on offer, featuring sessions on workforce training, partnership development, and the economics of surveillance systems. Speakers and participants will discuss sustainable funding strategies essential for developing reliable early warning mechanisms and investing in event-based surveillance across varied global contexts.

Africa CDC and ISID will issue a joint communiqué from the summit, detailing policy recommendations for long-term investment in sustainable surveillance. The declaration, a response to present and emerging challenges, is intended to shape policy frameworks and steer future initiatives in epidemic intelligence.

“This summit is timely,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “The ongoing Mpox and Marburg outbreaks highlight the necessity of stronger international cooperation and resilient surveillance frameworks to mitigate threats before they escalate. Our goal is to advance innovation and commitment to protect not only Africa but the global community from future health crises.”

By positioning the Global Surveillance Summit at the forefront of the ICID, Africa CDC and ISID are seeking to mobilize a diverse community of health experts and stakeholders in infectious disease prevention—a timely and strategic move toward global health security.

‍