IAEA ZODIAC Week Charts Global Pandemic Plan

Following a week of intensive discussions, global experts on zoonotic diseases defined the next phase of the IAEA's Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) initiative, which aims to fortify the world's defences against future disease outbreaks.

ZODIAC Week, held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna from 23 to 27 February, fostered dialogue among the ZODIAC Ad Hoc Scientific Panel, the ZODIAC National Laboratories (ZNLs) Implementation Meeting, and the first research coordination meeting for a new Africa-focused coordinated research project (CRP) to enhance laboratory preparedness for the detection and control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases.

"This week we continue to move from vision to action," said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. "By bringing our scientific advisors, our researchers and our national laboratory directors together, we have ensured that our research and development is directly connected to the needs of Member States, creating a seamless pipeline from the laboratory to the front lines of outbreak response."

The ZODIAC Ad Hoc Scientific Panel is an independent advisory body composed of 12 scientists and stakeholders from all regions with expertise in virology, epidemiology, veterinary medicine, genomics and One Health. It provides the IAEA with strategic scientific guidance to ensure that ZODIAC remains at the forefront of pandemic prevention.

Experts highlighted the increasing likelihood of a future 'Pandemic X' driven by environmental changes that affect pathogen and vector spread. They stressed that robust prevention requires a multi-pronged approach: comprehensive surveillance systems, from syndromic tools to genomic surveillance; a deep understanding of zoonotic spillover at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and humans; and the localization of advanced technologies like genomics for rapid outbreak detection.

To build national capacity, ZODIAC has established nine whole genome sequencing hubs with the capacity to apply genomics for pathogen detection and characterisation in selected ZODIAC National Laboratories. It has also supplied 43 ZNLs with full diagnostic packages for serological and molecular detection of zoonotic diseases that meet their specific needs.

"ZODIAC supports countries in developing technologies capable of robust sampling at the interface of wildlife, domestic animals and people and detecting novel pathogens," said Farai Muchadeyi, Head of the Animal Production and Health Section in the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

The panel's recommendations provided a blueprint for ZODIAC's evolution. These include expanding access to irradiated vaccine platforms and creating a 'vaccine platform library' for rapid deployment; integrating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring with disease surveillance; and leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for early lab diagnosis and pathogen prediction.

A unique feature of ZODIAC Week was the concurrent meetings of the ZNLs and the Africa CRP, which fostered collaboration between laboratory practitioners and researchers, ensuring that the R&D agenda is aligned with the practical needs and challenges countries face.

The first research coordination meeting for the Africa CRP reviewed project objectives and refined its work plans. The two-year project, funded by Japan, brings together eight African countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia and Zambia. It focuses on emerging technologies including syndromic surveillance, nanopore sequencing and species-independent serology to strengthen surveillance systems across the region.

The ZNL meeting provided a platform for laboratory representatives from over 12 countries to share their progress in enhancing capabilities, including equipment, training, biosafety and quality management, and to coordinate future surveillance strategies. Participants highlighted how the initiative has enabled the introduction of new test and analysis methods, citing specific examples of zoonotic disease detection. In Tunisia, for example, ZODIAC support helped introduce syndromic infectious disease testing using multiplex family-wide PCR.

ZODIAC Week participants visited the FAO/IAEA Animal Production and Health Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, to see nuclear-related technologies including new syndromic testing tools and next-generation sequencing protocols that will be provided to their home countries along with fellowships and training.

A central theme throughout the week was the need for strengthened partnerships and diversified resources to ensure ZODIAC's long-term sustainability. Ambassadors from donor states reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative, highlighting the transboundary nature of disease threats and the necessity of collective action.

The ZODIAC Ad Hoc Scientific Panel proposed the creation of a high-level task force involving the IAEA and other international organizations to build on synergies, coordinate resource mobilization and engage with international financing mechanisms like the Pandemic Fund.

"ZODIAC's strength lies not just in its technology, but in its global network and shared purpose," concluded Mokhtar. "With the clear roadmap established this week and the unwavering commitment of our partners, we are building a shield of global readiness. The world will be better prepared for the next outbreak because of the work done here."