Genetic sequencing of pathogens has revolutionized the surveillance of infectious diseases, empowering scientists and health officials to anticipate and respond effectively to outbreaks. Despite their transformative potential, next-generation sequencing technologies have traditionally been inaccessible to many in the global scientific community, particularly in the Global South. This is primarily due to the prohibitively high capital costs and a widespread deficiency in laboratory infrastructure and genomics expertise. Ironically, it is in these regions where genomic surveillance could yield the most crucial insights, underscoring the urgent need for equitable access to such transformative technologies.

The emergence of portable sequencing capabilities, along with accompanying protocols, has substantially enhanced the feasibility of real-time outbreak response on a global scale. This advancement was highlighted by two complementary papers authored by a collaborative team from Brazil and the UK, which were released simultaneously in 2017. Quick et al. introduced a cost-effective and user-friendly method to generate viral genomes using portable sequencing platforms, while Faria et al. demonstrated its direct application in a mobile genomics laboratory deployed during the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil in 2016, highlighting the practical implications of their work.