GISAID

In Focus

Upholding Trust: Inside GISAID’s Decision to Withdraw Data Feeds

During the COVID-19 response, some users with valid GISAID access credentials requested additional permissions, including data feeds to enable, e.g. dashboards to track variant prevalence or visualize the genomic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 across the globe. These requests were granted under supplementary agreements that required strict adherence to GISAID’s terms and assurances against misuse.

Subsequent audits, conducted with external experts and guided by GISAID’s Compliance Board, identified irregularities and breach of agreements which encroached upon contributors’ rights. In such cases, GISAID terminated the data feeds and revoked the supplementary permissions, as usage had diverged from the stated, approved purposes. Their regular access to GISAID, however, remained unaffected.

Despite this, a small but vocal group has circulated claims that access was cut “without justification,” mischaracterizing the circumstances. To uphold transparency and protect its community, GISAID is clarifying the record and sharing representative examples of cases where data feeds were withdrawn due to non-compliance. Read the full statement

Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2026-2027 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season

(Istanbul, Türkiye) An advisory group of experts taking part in a meeting organized by the WHO Global Influenza Programme between 23-26 February 2026 analyzed influenza virus surveillance data generated by the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), and issued on 27 February 2026 recommendations on the composition of the influenza vaccines for the next northern hemisphere influenza season.

These recommendations are used by the national vaccine regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical companies to develop, produce and license influenza vaccines.

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Mpox virus Clade Ib continues to be a closely monitored public health threat

Since November 2023, the Eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continue to see cases of the mpox virus Clade Ib that is also spreading through regional travel to neighboring countries in Central and Eastern Africa, incl. Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Outside of Africa, cases continue to be reported, including in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States. GISAID EpiPox provides access to the latest genome sequences and associated metadata of the mpox viruses, including Clade Ib and recombinant Ib+IIb. On 5 January 2026, Spain's Instituto de Salud Carlos III submitted a genome sequence of Clade Ib from a human case with no travel history. Previously, in the UK, a new recombinant (Ib+IIb) mpox was identified in a specimen sample collected from a traveller returning from Asia. The phylodynamics of Clade Ib can also be monitored on GISAID’s up-to-date phylogenetic trees.

H5N1 Bird Flu continues to circulate in the United States

Clade 2.3.4.4b of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus causing outbreaks in wild and domestic birds around the world continues to spread in dairy cows, poultry and other animals across the United States. Since April 2024, the U.S. CDC confirmed 70 human cases through genome sequence analysis. Data in some of these cases showed the amino acid substitution NA-S247N known to slightly reduce susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir in laboratory tests. In one case, a different change in the polymerase acidic (PA) protein was detected.

On 19 March 2025, the CDC released specimen data from the first human case in Ohio. The specimen sequence belongs to genotype D1.3. Previously the CDC released data from the first human fatality involving a patient from Louisiana that had been exposed to non-commercial backyard poultry and wild birds.

Full details

A global collaboration enabled by GISAID data sharing maps H5 influenza antigenic evolution to support vaccine development

Researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Erasmus Medical Center are advancing understanding of the rapid genetic and antigenic evolution of H5 influenza viruses. Using genome sequence data shared through GISAID, researchers generated synthetic hemagglutinin constructs, produced recombinant H5 viruses, and performed antigenic characterization to build comprehensive antigenic maps spanning viruses circulating since 1959. These maps guide the design of broadly protective vaccine candidates and support global surveillance.

All antigenic maps are publicly accessible and reagents are available to contributing laboratories, reinforcing the benefits from responsible data sharing, with fair attribution toward equitable global preparedness and response against emerging H5 threats

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An Equitable Pandemic Accord? A perspective from a Congolese Researcher

Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo - Prof. Dr. Francine Ntoumi reflects on her surveillance work in Africa during COVID-19 and shares her views on global health equity, lessons learned, the impact of technology, and the importance of international collaboration and role of GISAID's Regional Hub in Central Africa.

Dr. Francine concludes her perspective with a cautionary reminder of what a global treaty will need to provide. See also: "Data imperialism in a pandemic." On 20. May 2025, the WHO Pandemic Accord was adopted by Member States at the Seventy-eigth World Health Assembly.

► Listen to Dr. Ntoumi in her own words

GISAID joins the G20 Joint Finance & Health Ministerial Meeting

Yogyakarta, 20-21 June. Under the motto ‘Strengthening Global Health Architecture’ a delegation from GISAID attended the G20 Finance and Health Ministers meeting hosted by Indonesia, to discuss with G20 Member States’ and its partners their vision for GISAID+ (GISAID plus).

Global leaders reflected on the need to coordinate and strengthen resources during future pandemics. In particular Member States stressed the essential role GISAID plays in global health security, and discussed how global leaders could support GISAID’s expansion as a global resource to respond to other priority pathogens with major impact and pandemic-potential.

> read more

CBD Study finds 'GISAID might provide useful lessons and insight to ABS discussions'

A peer-reviewed fact-finding and scoping study on digital sequence information on genetic resources in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, highlights key advantages of GISAID’s sharing mechanism and a fair and equitable benefit-sharing resulting from access to data.

With the core principals of timely international sharing of health data for protecting populations against lethal infectious disease outbreaks and adherence to scientific etiquette of acknowledgement of the source of data has resulted in global trust and confidence in GISAID.

> download the fact-finding & scoping study

Phylodynamics

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Public-Private Partnerships of the GISAID Initiative

The GISAID Initiative involves public-private partnerships, among them the partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany, and governmental public-health and academic institutions in Argentina, Brazil, China, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, and the support by Friends of GISAID, a registered non-profit association and administrative arm of the Initiative.

A Decade of Innovative Contribution to Global Health

Congratulations to GISAID for ten years of successful work on pandemic influenza preparedness. As one of the key players in ensuring effective data sharing GISAID has made a significant contribution to global health security

Prof. Jane Halton AO PSM Chair, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations CEPI

Commemorating the centenary of the 1918 pandemic, the most catastrophic event in the recorded history of influenza, it is reassuring to know that GISAID is ready and prepared when a similar event emerges and threatens global health. Congratulations on bringing together one of the most successful global collaborations ever achieved

Prof. Dr Rob Webster St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee

The unique contribution of the GISAID data sharing mechanism is the confidence it has engendered among scientific and political communities as it has added to their capabilities to collaborate more effectively to combat influenza viruses

Dr med David NabarroUnited Nations System Coordinat.for Avian & Human Influenza (ret)

We do need substantially innovative mechanisms for microbe sharing, if mankind is to survive future pandemics. GISAID is an excellent example!!!

Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert Ministry of Public Health, ThailandInternational Health Policy Program Foundation

IFPMA acknowledges GISAID’s important role in providing the platform for the open and timely sharing of influenza data and building greater trust among countries and stakeholders, a key element to influenza global pandemic preparedness

Thomas B. CueniDirector GeneralInternational Federation of PharmaManufacturers & Associations

The tenth anniversary of GISAID represents a landmark in global solidarity. A pandemic strain of influenza is perhaps the world's greatest threat. Everything GISAID stands for: virus sharing, cutting-edge research, open access, and international cooperation to guarantee health security couldn't be more important

Prof. Lawrence O. GostinWHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health LawGeorgetown University

GISAID’s trustworthy data sharing principles forever transformed global collaboration in the fight against influenza, enabling unprecedented rapid response to outbreaks. In 2013, Nature called China’s sharing of H7N9 avian influenza data through GISAID ‘next to exemplary’

Prof. Dr George Fu GaoDirector GeneralChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The core principles enshrined in GISAID's sharing mechanism are a shining beacon of hope. A recognized leader in influenza pandemic preparedness, thanks to its brilliant performance in data sharing

Ambassador Makarim WibisonoRepublic of Indonesia (ret) Professor, Universitas Airlangga

A key to protecting the world from future viral threats is having immediate and open access to critical viral data. GISAID has established a highly effective, trusted and time-tested model for influenza data sharing that could serve as an important model for other viral families

Dr Dennis CarrollGlobal Health SecurityUS Agency for International Development (USAID)

GISAID successfully built upon the collaborative ethos of the 70-year old WHO Global Influenza Programme, to complement and extend the sharing of viruses, reagents & essential information

Dr med Wenqing Zhang World Health OrganizationGlobal Influenza Programme

The GISAID Initiative was established to champion (and enhance) rapid sequence data sharing for seasonal and pandemic influenza preparedness - a global public health imperative. GISAID’s success exceeded our expectations and provides an important model for rapid data sharing for other pathogens with pandemic potential

Dr Nancy J. CoxWHO Collaborating Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of InfluenzaCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (ret)

Not all big ideas become a reality and not all big ideas fill a global need. As a public-private partnership GISAID is a model for data sharing in the digital age. On its 10th anniversary we may look back at the initial inspiration and the headline of the supporting editorial in Nature that puts the point succinctly: Sharing saves lives

Dr med Bruce G. GellinGlobal Immunization, PresidentSabin Vaccine Institute

ECDC congratulates GISAID for a successful 10 years of advocating for and implementing sharing of influenza sequence data. The initiative plays a key role in global and European pandemic preparedness and increases our understanding of the annual influenza seasons

Dr Mike CatchpoleEuropean Centre for DiseasePrevention and Control (ECDC)

GISAID has advanced influenza virus data sharing to a new level, greatly contributing to the global effort to detect, respond, and mitigate seasonal and pandemic influenza

Prof. Dr med Peter Jay Hotez Baylor College of Medicine, DeanNational School Tropical Medicine

I congratulate the GISAID Initiative on its ten-year anniversary as it continues its important work to promote the international sharing of influenza virus sequences and data

Ambassador John E. LangeU.S. Department of State (ret)United Nations Foundation

Over the past decade, GISAID has been an invaluable global partner in fostering open access to data related to influenza, a central issue related to influenza and all EIDs

Prof. Dr med Keiji FukudaThe University of Hong KongSchool of Public Health

GISAID encourages increased collection and rapid dissemination of data that improves our understanding of the complex and dynamic epidemiology of influenza viruses. On behalf of OFFLU network, we offer our congratulations on the contribution GISAID has made to build international collaboration over the last 10 years

Dr Peter Daniels Dr David SwayneOFFLU OIE/FAO Network ofExpertise on Animal Influenza

The pioneering concept of transparent data sharing developed GISAID into the premier source of influenza virus sequence information and proven its worth in outbreak situations

Prof. Dr Thomas C. MettenleiterFriedrich-Loeffler-InstituteFederal Research Institutefor Animal Health, Germany

Ten years after GISAID first introduced its game-changing mechanism, breaking data sharing barriers, it continues to be a most trusted leader in pandemic preparedness & response

Prof. Dr Yuelong Shu Sun Yat-sen University, DeanSchool of Public Health, Shenzhen

GISAID has become the most complete public database for influenza virus sequence data in support of fundamental science and public and animal health applications

Prof. Dr Ron Fouchier Erasmus MC RotterdamViroscience & Nat'l Influenza Cntr

By sharing influenza virus sequences among scientists around the world, GISAID has had a tremendous impact on influenza virus research

Prof. Dr Yoshihiro Kawaoka University of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Tokyo

From the latest seasonal to new zoonotic and animal influenza viruses, GISAID always has the most relevant strains and exciting new analysis tools

Dr Sebastian Maurer-StrohAgency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR Singapore

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H3N2 Subclade K

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