UKHSA launches new AMR strain panels and expands wastewater surveillance

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and PACE have launched new initiatives to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improve pandemic preparedness. PACE and UKHSA released five contemporary antimicrobial resistance strain panels containing 145 bacterial strains isolated within the last five years. These panels are designed to help researchers test new therapeutics and diagnostics against current resistance patterns, specifically targeting Gram-negative bacteria and pathogens on the World Health Organization’s Bacterial Priority Pathogens List.

Simultaneously, the UKHSA is expanding its wastewater surveillance across England through the Pathogen Risk Intelligence through Surveillance and Modelling (PRISM) programme. This pathogen-agnostic system uses a ‘sample once, test many’ approach to monitor drug-resistant bacteria, fungi, and seasonal illnesses. The programme aims to provide early detection of both known and emerging threats, including serious viruses such as Ebola and Marburg, by monitoring targeted hospital sites and high-footfall locations like transport hubs.