Recent advances have the potential to improve the information available and the response to outbreaks
Partners in the COMPARE project (University of Edinburgh and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) reviewed the global response to the recent Ebola outbreak.
The shortcomings they found in response to this outbreak highlight the need for stronger global surveillance. Advanced tools are available, such as rapid patient testing and fast genetic analysis of viruses could help the response and save lives.
Their review article was just published in Science Translation Medicine.