1. ASDPE Regional Plan for Strengthening the National Influenza Surveillance Capacity: Guiding the way towards a comprehensive National Influenza Surveillance System (NISS) Emerging Disease Surveillance & Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)

2. 2 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: a pandemic could occur at any time – we need to have technical capabilities in place to detect influenza. We must be sure that appropriate systems/policies are in place to respond rapidly to untypable virus How to effectively link animal health and human health authorities = better understanding of disease burden How to link epi and virological surveillance at the earliest possible time? Better surveillance data will inform on timeliness of when to vaccinate – understanding disease burden and seasonality Working towards establishing a recognized standard for NIC laboratories – is this a good idea?

3. 3 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: Vision: Influenza related morbidity and mortality are reduced to a minimum in all the member states of SEAR and WPR.

4. 4 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: Mission: To have all member states use laboratory, epidemiologic and clinical data to implement policies for the prevention and control of all kinds of human influenza, including surveillance, vaccination, treatment and pandemic preparedness.

5. 5 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: Goals: –Laboratory –Epidemiology –Prevention – vaccination –Treatment – –Policies –Funding

6. 6 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: Virologic testing: –All NICs should work toward advancing their capabilities while maintaining QA –Advance capabilities based on needs and resources Epidemiology and disease burden: –Linkage of laboratory findings and epidemiology data, including electronic, needs to be strengthened.

7. 7 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Major themes from Discussion: Communication: –NICs should be encouraged to share info through various forums, including FluNet and regional forums.

8. 8 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) ACTIONS FOR WHO COLLABORATING CENTRES Continued technical support for the NICs.

9. 9 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) ACTIONS FOR WHO Forums for information sharing should be encouraged, and participation supported to insure ALL NIC participation. To insure minimum capacities are maintained thru regular training and assessments. EQAP Network participation should be strongly encouraged.

10. 10 Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) ACTIONS FOR WHO ALL countries should be supported in developing and maintaining national reporting platforms. Vaccine working groups, regionally or by country, makes good sense. Organize a Regional laboratory assessment Program.