Coordination and collaboration for strengthening respiratory surveillance at the national level: updates from workshop hosted by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, 24-25 July 2024.

Abstract

Recent public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, MERS, and Avian Influenza outbreaks, underscore the need for effective surveillance systems for respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. In 2022, WHO initiated a project to help national public health professionals identify and address gaps in coordinating multiple surveillance systems for early detection and monitoring of viral respiratory events. The project involved developing country-specific approaches to address these gaps and identifying generalizable best practices. WHO headquarters collaborated with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to select three pilot countries: South Africa, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania. Each country conducted a landscape assessment of relevant surveillance activities followed by national workshops to discuss coordination, collaboration, and strengthening of Public Health Intelligence (PHI) for respiratory surveillance.National workshops were held in Dar es Salaam (United Republic of Tanzania), Kpalimè (Togo), and Johannesburg (South Africa), bringing together professionals from various domains and sectors. The workshops highlighted system-specific and cross-cutting challenges and best practices related to respiratory surveillance. These findings informed a stakeholder workshop at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin on 24-25 July 2024, which convened stakeholders from WHO headquarters, WHO AFRO, US CDC, and representatives from the pilot countries.The workshop underscored the critical importance of coordination and collaboration in respiratory surveillance. By integrating multiple surveillance systems and fostering cross-sectoral communication, countries can enhance their ability to detect and respond to respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. The shared best practices and recommendations provide a valuable framework for strengthening global health security and preparedness.