Volume 22, Number 6—June 2016
Synopsis
Improved Global Capacity for Influenza Surveillance
Lauren S. Polansky
, Sajata Outin-Blenman, and Ann C. Moen
, Sajata Outin-Blenman, and Ann C. Moen
Table 5
Country perspectives on the role of surveillance system capacities during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in countries with 0–1 influenza sentinel sites at the start of the program*
| WHO region | Perspective |
|---|---|
| South-East Asia |
“The first fatal case during the pandemic was identified by our [influenza] network as part of hospital based surveillance activities. The network took a frontline role in providing diagnostics to the respective regions, actively participated in pandemic mitigation activities in coordination with the regional health authorities.” |
| African |
“The cooperative agreement has created awareness of influenza virus among health workers, policy makers and communities at large [and] laboratory capacity to test the virus: before there was no idea if the virus [was] in existence in the country, the types and subtypes, or the staff capacity to identify and respond to influenza.”
“The use of the case definitions for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and the virologic analysis of the samples from cases has helped in identifying the onset of the pandemic flu H1N1 in the population and the period of dominance which informed the type of control measures put in place.” |
| Eastern Mediterranean |
“We routinely collect data on ILI and SARI cases. The sentinel sites send the epidemiologic data and specimen to [our] NIC [National Influenza Centre] for verification. We have certain examples of SARI outbreaks that the system easily detected and responded to.” |
| European |
“Sentinel sites are [now] located [along] bird migration routes and near the countries [‘] points of entry. Established SARI case-based surveillance with lab confirmation is very helpful in order to provide timely detection and response to abnormal influenza.” |
| Western Pacific | “Routine surveillance of epidemiology and viruses provided data on circulating strains with epi-clinical information which helped to detect abnormal influenza and thus helped to implement a plan.” |
*A total of 39 countries partnered with CDC for influenza surveillance capacity strengthening during different years; 35 countries responded to a 2013 questionnaire and are included in our analysis. South East Asia Region had 1 sentinel site at the beginning of the program; all other regions had no sites at program start. CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO, World Health Organization.
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