WHO has published updated guidance on the implementation of an integrated surveillance system for influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential. It includes surveillance standards and operational approaches essential for participating in an expanded global surveillance system (the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System or GISRS ). The guidance aims to strengthen national sentinel surveillance capacities for respiratory viruses.
Global influenza surveillance has been conducted through GISRS for over 70 years, since 1952. GISRS is a key WHO initiative, serving as the world's network for monitoring influenza viruses, providing recommendations on seasonal vaccine compositions in both the northern and southern hemispheres, strengthening laboratory surveillance, and acting as a global alert mechanism for the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential. It encompasses a network of 160 laboratories in 130 countries.
Over the past ten years GISRS capacities have been leveraged for the surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, GISRS quickly adapted to integrate the surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This guidance highlights practical considerations for the integration of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV surveillance into influenza surveillance system and at standards of GISRS surveillance for influenza. The implementation of the guidance helps countries move towards a broader respiratory disease surveillance strategy for better preparedness and response to future health emergencies.
The document highlights the primary objectives of sentinel surveillance to monitor the epidemiology and characteristics of acute respiratory illnesses and respiratory viruses, and outlines the minimum standards required, along with any adjustments needed to support additional, secondary objectives. Countries are recommended to adopt at least the minimum surveillance standards specific for each of the viruses to be integrated into the GISRS platform, based on national surveillance objectives. National level surveillance is very important as it provides an evidence base for regional and global public health actions. WHO will continue to support the strengthening of GISRS and making the system a robust asset for influenza and other respiratory viruses surveillance and response.
