Implementation of rapid, direct sequencing for poliovirus surveillance

Swift and accurate characterisation of poliovirus outbreaks is essential. Alex and his team develop sequencing-based methods for the detection of the virus in both stool and sewage, providing additional tools to rapidly identify poliovirus cases and discover silent transmission of the virus in populations. Using portable nanopore sequencing devices, they train labs to facilitate rapid, in-country characterisations of the virus that can guide public health responses.