Telehealth and outbreak prevention and control: the foundations and advances of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network.

The Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) of which PACNET is now an integral part was established in 1996. PACNET is an innovative technical communication facility for strategic and high priority disease outbreak detection and control. PPHSN consists of National and International agencies, networks and institutions involved in Health activities in 22 Pacific island countries. Its aim is to improve public health surveillance in the Pacific islands in a sustainable way with outbreak alert and response a current priority. This report reviews the development of PPHSN, its associated public health Laboratory network (LabNeT) and the more recent EpiNet that is a regional investigation and response service. Telehealth is also discussed in terms of what services can PPHSN currently provide and what improvements can it pursue to actively contribute to the dynamic development and welfare of Pacific communities in the twenty first century.