In a major stride toward strengthening global health security, the World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled version 2.0 of its Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system — an advanced platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, analyze, and respond to emerging public health threats.

The upgraded system, launched at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin, marks a significant milestone in how nations and organizations collaborate to prevent and manage outbreaks.

Developed in partnership with the German Government, the European Commission, and other key collaborators, the EIOS initiative has been operational since 2017. It now serves more than 110 Member States and over 30 global organizations, helping public health experts identify potential health risks through the analysis of vast amounts of publicly available information from around the world.

The new version of EIOS is designed to be faster, smarter, and more inclusive. It integrates cutting-edge AI tools that can scan and analyze an ever-expanding range of data sources, including news reports, social media updates, and even radio broadcasts, which are automatically transcribed and translated. This allows for near real-time detection of potential health threats and enables rapid public health responses.

“Today, we are not just celebrating the launch of a new version of a system; we are entering a new phase in how the world collaborates, innovates, and responds to health threats,” said Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. “EIOS 2.0 is our bridge to the future — more open, more agile, and more inclusive.”

The importance of early detection has been repeatedly demonstrated in recent years by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of mpox and avian influenza. With EIOS 2.0, WHO aims to empower countries to identify and verify health events before they spiral into global emergencies.

The platform’s improved interface supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a wider global audience. It also enables seamless collaboration among users across countries and organizations, allowing them to track and monitor public health events together in real time.

The WHO has emphasized that EIOS will continue to be offered as a public good, free of charge, to all Member States and eligible organizations.

Ministries of Health and public health agencies already rely on the system to complement traditional sources of surveillance, such as laboratory and hospital data. By analyzing open-source information, EIOS provides early insights into possible outbreaks, enabling governments to act swiftly and decisively.

“Better data – better analytics – better decisions,” said Nina Warken, Germany’s Federal Minister of Health, while highlighting the launch. “This milestone will accelerate the detection, analysis, and response to health threats. Reliable data and transparent political processes are key to building public trust during emergencies.”

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, echoed the sentiment, stressing that collaboration remains at the heart of effective preparedness. “Detecting public health threats early is essential to prevent new and emerging diseases from becoming endemic or escalating into a pandemic. Together, we are building a safer and more resilient global health community,” she said.

To support the roll-out of version 2.0, WHO is also providing multilingual training resources, webinars, and help clinics. An online training course developed in partnership with the WHO Academy will help health professionals make full use of the system’s new features.

With the launch of EIOS 2.0, WHO has taken a bold step toward redefining epidemic intelligence. By combining technology, transparency, and international cooperation, the upgraded system promises to make global health surveillance faster, more accurate, and more responsive — ensuring the world is better prepared for the next health crisis.