The UK-PHRST showcased its expertise in outbreak response on multiple fronts at the UKHSA Conference in Manchester, from hosting a panel including international players in disease outbreak response, to sharing learnings from our deployment experiences.

The UK-PHRST organised panel featured leading voices in global response efforts and included representatives from the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC), UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK-PHRST.

Chaired by the UK’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Thomas Waite, the panel discussed the importance of sustainability in global emergency response for high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks of international concern. Focusing particularly on low- and middle-income countries, the group held active discussions on the current models of outbreak response, cooperation and collaboration, and the impact, risks and opportunities in relation to recent changes in the donor policy landscape.

Key emerging themes included the effectiveness of response, how we support nationally-led responses as international partners, and the and the importance of partner coordination and equity for sustainable outcomes. Panelists also reflected on the the successes and challenges of innovations in technology as well as the importance of community-centred responses.

Ed Newman, UK-PHRST Director said:

“We are delighted to have hosted many of our valued international partners as part of the UKHSA conference in Manchester. These discussions have reinforced the importance of partnership and sustainability in making impact before, during and after disease outbreaks, something the UK-PHRST is proud to actively champion.

“We cannot rest on our laurels however, we must continue to further support partners with their national response to public health emergencies. Strengthening capacity and knowledge outside of response operations to ensure readiness to respond, through co-development and co-creation with our valued international partners is key to safeguard global and UK health security.”

Separately, UK-PHRST’s Epidemiology co-Lead and core deployee Dr Victor Del Rio Vilas, spoke during a session showcasing UKHSA’s work around the world to enhance global health security through its strategic goals to ‘prepare, respond, and build’. Victor outlined the UK-PHRST’s role of responding rapidly and at short notice to requests from national governments and multinational global health partners to support the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks, before they develop into global emergencies. He shared the experience, reflections and learnings from his 2024 deployment to South Sudan with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network where he provided epidemiological support to in-country partners alongside UK-PHRST Field Epidemiologist Tina Sorensen.

About UKHSA conference

The 2025 UKHSA Conference is a distinctive gathering of up to 3,000 colleagues, experts, partners and stakeholders over two days; as we work to deliver our mission of preventing and responding to health threats, saving lives and protecting livelihoods. The conference programme explored the latest advancements, strategies and innovations in health protection and demonstrate the unique impact of UKHSA through our scientific, academic and commercial offer, and the power of our collective endeavour through partnership. The conference welcomed colleagues from across the life sciences landscape, industry partners, professionals within health protection and public health in local government, international partners, the NHS and community and charity organisations.

Evolving landscapes: The future of sustainable global response to public health emergencies and outbreaks

• Professor Yap Boum II, Deputy Incident Manager for the Continental Mpox response, Africa CDC
• Dr Thomas Hoffmann - Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response, ECDC,
• Dr Olivier Le Polain - Unit Head, Epidemiology and Analytics for Response Unit, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
• Dr Melissa McRae - Senior Researcher in Medical Ethics, MSF
• Uzoamaka Gilpin – Africa Global Health Security Team Leader and Senior Responsible Officer, Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme Phase II  (TDDAP 2) , Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Dr Edmund Newman, UK-PHRST Director
• Dr Thomas Waite - Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - session Chair

UKHSA around the world: Working with partners to prepare, respond and build

• Dr Victor del Rio Vilas - Senior Epidemiologist, UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team, UKHSA
• Dr Olúṣọlá Aruna - Country Lead/Senior Public Health Advisor, International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project, UKHSA
• Dr Haydn Cole - Group Leader, Chemicals and Poisons, UKHSA
• Anna Wechsberg - International Director and Director for EU, Trade and the Union, DHSC - session Chair