WHO is supporting countries to prepare for and respond to seasonal and pandemic influenza
The Quarterly News Q1 2025
WHO is supporting countries to protect their people from seasonal and pandemic influenza
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Building an expanded global surveillance system
To strengthen national surveillance and leverage the capacity of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System or GISRS, WHO has published updated guidance on the implementation of an integrated surveillance system for influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential.
© WHO
Video explains influenza in a nutshell
This video gives an overview of influenza from its history, prevention, transmission, and types of virus, to animal reservoirs and the risk of pandemics, influenza vaccines, and monitoring and preparedness.
© van Diaz / Unsplash
Global influenza vaccine production steady, but challenges remain
A recent WHO-led study published in Vaccine provides updated estimates on the global production capacity of influenza vaccines, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in pandemic preparedness.
© WHO
Time to save money and lives, influenza video reminds
WHO recommends that all countries introduce a seasonal influenza vaccination programme to reduce hospitalizations, absenteeism, and deaths caused by seasonal influenza epidemics.
© WCO Myanmar
Influenza surveillance in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar
With support from the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP), Myanmar has implemented an Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) as a supplementary surveillance system in conflict-affected areas.
© WHO
Enhancing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance in Mongolia
Globally RSV causes over 3.6 million hospitalizations and about 100 000 deaths in children under 5 years of age. Since 2017, Mongolia has participated in a WHO RSV surveillance project which was enhanced in 2024.
© WHO
Spotlighting Cambodia’s response to avian influenza
Cambodia has successfully detected and implemented outbreak response measures in response to an uptick in cases of avian influenza (H5N1) in people and the circulation of various subtypes. Their National Influenza Centre, the H5 Reference Laboratory, and WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza have collaborated to curb the spread of the disease.
© WHO
Supporting Nigeria to tackle influenza
WHO has supported the establishment of surveillance sites and hospitals across Nigeria. In 2024, 814 samples were collected and transported to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for testing. WHO also provided PPE kits each of which included 1,000 gloves, 500 aprons, 500 face shields, 20 rain boots, and other items. WHO also supplied laboratory materials for collecting samples and helped train over 100 health workers.
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