Global expertise in the fight against infectious diseases
The German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) has been combating dangerous infectious diseases worldwide for ten years. Its mission: to prevent the spread of epidemics and protect millions of people.
Remember the COVID-19 pandemic and how quickly the virus spread around the world? Norman Nausch, Head of SEEG, knows the most effective countermeasure: ‘The most important thing is always to contain the risk as quickly as possible.’ The assignment team supports affected partner countries with their efforts to improve laboratories and to carry out more tests. It provides advisory services and training on infection control and early detection.
In acute cases of infection, the team takes immediate measures such as procuring protective and test materials and launches awareness campaigns. Since 2015, the team has been deployed over 70 times in around 40 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to support partners in combating bird flu in The Gambia, Ebola in Uganda and Mpox in Sierra Leone.
Local expertise is key
SEEG acts on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It is an effective tool to combat epidemics worldwide. However, the requests it deals with are selected with care: ‘We go to countries only where we can really add value,’ stresses Nausch.
Requests for SEEG assignments often come from a country’s health ministry, via the German embassies or are submitted directly to BMZ. GIZ organises the assignments and assembles the teams as required.
In addition to GIZ staff, SEEG also includes experts from the Robert Koch Institute, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. ‘Local experts and partners are particularly important, as they know best what is going on,’ explains Norman Nausch. They know where the gaps in materials and expertise are, what the right multipliers are and which reservations or disinformation exist among the population. This knowledge is essential to successfully combat epidemics.
Successful Mpox control in Sierra Leone
There was an Mpox outbreak here in mid-2025. Two hard-hit provinces were provided with information and methods on risk communication, infection prevention and case tracking by local experts and the African health authority Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Over 50 awareness-raising campaigns have taken place to curb the spread of the virus. ‘The trained participants share their knowledge with colleagues and communities so that it also reaches rural areas,’ explains Radjabu Bigirimana, Program Manager at Africa CDC.
The more the population is informed about symptoms, immediate and protective measures, and effective education, the less viruses and other pathogens spread.