UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST)
The UK-PHRST is a UK aid-funded project operated by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) is an important international partner in epidemic disease response. The team partners with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to respond to infectious disease outbreaks before they develop into global health emergencies.
We work closely with international organisations, partner country governments and non-governmental organisations to:
- rapidly investigate and respond to disease outbreaks at their source in LMICs eligible for UK Official Development Assistance, with the aim of stopping a public health threat from becoming a broader health emergency
- conduct research to generate an evidence base for best practice in epidemic preparedness and response
- strengthen capacity for improved national response to disease outbreaks in LMICs
We are an innovative partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, funded with UK aid by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
To find out more about the team, read a blog post with Director Dr Ed Newman, which reflects on the history of the UK-PHRST, its relevance in a post-COVID-19 world and plans for the future. You can also sign up to receive the team’s quarterly newsletter via email.
Reports
News announcements
The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team – A renewed commitment to tackling infectious diseases
4 November 2022 – Blog post
Five years of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team
3 December 2021 – Blog post
Last updated 5 April 2023 + show all updates
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Updated collection.
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Added 'UK deploys more public health experts to DRC for Ebola outbreak response' to the news announcements section.
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First published.