Wasiq Khan1, Amira El Rifay2, Mamunur Malik3, Ghazi Kayali4,5. 1. Department of Health, University of Bath, United Kingdom. 2. Center of Excellence for Influenza Viruses, Child Health department National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. 3. World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt. 4. Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America. 5. Human Link, Hazmieh, Lebanon.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preparedness is key to controlling influenza pandemics and epidemics. AIMS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyse the response and preparedness to influenza pandemics in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO/EMR). METHODS: Published and grey literatures were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar, and the WHO/EMR online databases. International and national plans were searched via official websites of the relevant ministries of the countries. RESULTS: We found that the response from EMR countries was minimal and scientific papers published were limited. Moreover, most of those papers studied the preparedness plan partially by focusing on one or more elements such as infection control measures and vaccines, or were directed to certain populations such as health workers. Continuous active surveillance is ignored in most of the countries although it was the most important lesson learned from the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The national preparedness plans should be updated, taking guidance from the findings in the present report, to address any emerging pandemic virus as well as attending to surges of seasonal influenza cases.
BACKGROUND: Preparedness is key to controlling influenza pandemics and epidemics. AIMS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyse the response and preparedness to influenza pandemics in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO/EMR). METHODS: Published and grey literatures were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar, and the WHO/EMR online databases. International and national plans were searched via official websites of the relevant ministries of the countries. RESULTS: We found that the response from EMR countries was minimal and scientific papers published were limited. Moreover, most of those papers studied the preparedness plan partially by focusing on one or more elements such as infection control measures and vaccines, or were directed to certain populations such as health workers. Continuous active surveillance is ignored in most of the countries although it was the most important lesson learned from the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The national preparedness plans should be updated, taking guidance from the findings in the present report, to address any emerging pandemic virus as well as attending to surges of seasonal influenza cases.
Authors: Khalid A Kheirallah; Mohammed Al-Nusair; Shahed Aljabeiti; Nadir Sheikali; Abdallah Alzoubi; Jomana W Alsulaiman; Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi; Hamed Alzoubi; Ayman Ahmad Bani Mousa; Mohammed Z Allouh Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-12 Impact factor: 4.614