Table 1.

Potential benefits of evaluating WGS implementation in public health surveillance

Potential benefits
Inform the development of appropriate guidelines and policies around the use of pathogen whole genome sequencing in public health practice
Contribute to the body of evidence available regarding development of pathogen whole genome sequencing capacity in a considered, informed way
Identify needed investment, infrastructure and training to successfully incorporate microbial genomics into public health practice
Provide clarity around the expected outcomes of incorporating pathogen whole genome sequencing in public health and evidence of whether these outcomes are being realised
Identify unexpected outcomes of pathogen whole genome sequencing in public health (either positive or negative) and take appropriate action as necessary
Ensure the public health benefits of whole genome sequencing technology are equitably distributed across the population
Identify and reduce inefficiencies or redundancies in the system