PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference

The key aims of the PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference were to:

• showcase the biosurveillance work undertaken within the PATH-SAFE programme, and other related biosurveillance programmes, strategies, and initiatives
• facilitate knowledge exchange and results dissemination
• foster the formation of connections and networks within the biosurveillance community

Please note the presentations relate to preliminary findings from the PATH-SAFE workstreams which are not yet completed.

Day 1 

Following an introductory PATH-SAFE overview, project teams presented their PATH-SAFE data system development and knowledge gap-addressing projects. The final session provided information on biosurveillance programmes, strategies and initiatives from across government: 

Session 1: Developing Biosurveillance Data Systems 

Presentations from the PATH-SAFE teams developing systems to integrate, interrogate and contextualise genomic and surveillance data from a range of sources. 

The recording of PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 1 Session 1 is available on YouTube.

Slides from this session can be found below. Please note the slides are not accessible. If you require an accessible alternative please contact fsa.communications@food.gov.uk.

Session 2: Addressing Biosurveillance Knowledge Gaps 

Overviews of the PATH-SAFE AMR surveillance projects undertaken to fill existing knowledge gaps including surveys of AMR in sheep, cattle and animal feed, with presentations from: 

• The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) 
• The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)  
• Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) 

The recording of PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 1 Session 2 is available on YouTube.

Slides from this session can be found below. Please note the slides are not accessible. If you require an accessible alternative please contact fsa.communications@food.gov.uk.

Session 3: Biosurveillance landscape 

Biosurveillance programmes, strategies and initiatives overviews from teams across Government, including: 

• UK AMR National Action Plan 
• Genomics for Animal and Plant Diseases Centre 2 (GAP-DC2)  
• The third Infectious Intestinal Disease study (IID3) 
• UKRI Tackling Infections Strategic Theme 

The recording of PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 1 Session 3 (part 1) is available on YouTube.

As is PATH SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 1 Session 3 (part 2).

Slides from this session can be found below. Please note the slides are not accessible. If you require an accessible alternative please contact fsa.communications@food.gov.uk.

Day 2 

The second day of the conference focused on how PATH-SAFE projects have been enhancing existing biosurveillance activities and developing novel methods.  The day concluded with a look at reflections and lessons learned during the programme to date. 

Session 4: Enhancing Existing Biosurveillance 

PATH-SAFE projects that have built upon existing biosurveillance sampling programmes, including projects led by: 

• Food Standards Scotland (FSS) 
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)  
• Oxford University 
• Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) 

Recording of this session and presentation slides are undergoing review and will be uploaded in due course.

Session 5: Exploring Novel Biosurveillance Methods 

PATH-SAFE projects that have developed and piloted novel methods for foodborne disease pathogen and AMR surveillance, including presentations from: 

• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) 
• Environment Agency 
• Bangor University 
• Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) 
• Fera Science Ltd

Part 1 is undergoing review and will be uploaded in due course.

The recording of PATH SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 2 Session 5 (part 2) is available on YouTube. 

Slides from this session (Part 2) can be found below. Please note the slides are not accessible. If you require an accessible alternative please contact fsa.communications@food.gov.uk.

Session 6: PATH-SAFE Reflections and Lessons Learnt 

The PATH-SAFE coordination and evaluation teams provided an overview of the programme Process and Output Evaluations and reflected on lessons learnt.

The recording of PATH SAFE Biosurveillance Conference – Day 2 Session 6 is available on YouTube. 

Slides from this session can be found below. Please note the slides are not accessible. If you require an accessible alternative please contact fsa.communications@food.gov.uk.

Posters from the PATH-SAFE Biosurveillance Conference

Please see below for posters that were displayed at the event from our partners. Please note that some posters have not yet been uploaded as publication of results is pending; they will be uploaded in due course.