From 11 to 13 December 2023, the Global Influenza Programme of the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with WHO regional offices, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates, held a pivotal meeting on how best to strengthen and expand the activities of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).
Established over 70 years ago, GISRS remains a key WHO initiative serving as the world’s network for monitoring influenza viruses, providing recommendations on seasonal vaccine composition 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.
This meeting brought together around 120 laboratory and surveillance experts, and health officials from 62 countries to develop and define the scope and objectives of an expanded GISRS – the so-called “e-GISRS” concept. Leveraging decades of experience and grounded in the long established GISRS network, e-GISRS will monitor and respond to any epidemic and pandemic threats posed not only by influenza viruses but by other respiratory viruses too. This natural expansion of the scope of GISRS started in 2015 when respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was first included in the GISRS platform. This process was then greatly accelerated in 2020 following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the world advances towards 100 years of collaboration in fighting the deadly menace of respiratory disease outbreaks, e-GISRS will provide an even stronger global foundation for the vital surveillance, preparedness and response efforts needed to protect the world from constantly evolving respiratory viruses.
Drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the above meeting was informed by two previous WHO global consultations:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-WHE-GIH-GIP-2021.1
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240050228
The primary meeting objectives were:
- To consider how best to adapt integrated surveillance practices for influenza and other priority respiratory viruses (that is, novel viruses or known viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential).
- To identify and discuss gaps and needs when expanding activities beyond influenza, including the envisaged functions and objectives of e-GISRS and its coordination with other surveillance systems and networks.
In order to achieve the meeting objectives, two technical workstreams had been initiated prior to the meeting to review evidence and existing guidance, and to discuss the laboratory and epidemiological standards needed for effective influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. A third workstream had also been implemented to address issues surrounding coordination gaps and needs of e-GISRS for the surveillance of non-influenza respiratory viruses.
During group and panel discussions, integrated surveillance practices were reviewed, and inputs sought on how best to operationalize the standards and address the needs identified by the workstreams. In addition, the crucial role of international cooperation in strengthening global surveillance and response capabilities against all respiratory viruses was highlighted, along with the need to ensure collaborative approaches to emerging health challenges. A number of immediate next steps were also identified, including the revision of current WHO guidance on integrated surveillance.
This pivotal meeting reaffirmed the spirit of collaboration and trust which has been the hallmark of GISRS for over 70 years, while also bringing into sharper focus the strengthened, expanded and shared vision for advancing GISRS.
