Tweet
Bull World Health Organ. 2012 April 1; 90(4): 301?305.
doi: 10.2471/BLT.11.098244
PMCID: PMC3324873
Copyright (c) World Health Organization (WHO) 2012. All rights reserved.
Improving influenza surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa
Am?lioration de la surveillance de la grippe en Afrique sub-saharienne
C Steffen,a F Debellut,a BD Gessner,a FC Kasolo,b AA Yahaya,b N Ayebazibwe,c O Bassong,d Y Cardoso,e S Kebede,f S Manoncourt,g KA Vandemaele,h and AW Mountsh
aAgence de M?decine Pr?ventive, 25-28 rue du Dr Roux 75724, Paris cedex 15, France.
bDisease Surveillance and Response Programme, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
cAfrican Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda.
dYaound?, Cameroon.
eLuanda, Angola.
fAtlanta, United States of America.
gParis, France.
hGlobal Influenza Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Corresponding author.
Correspondence to C Steffen (e-mail: csteffen@aamp.org).
Received October 26, 2011; Revised January 24, 2012; Accepted January 30, 2012.
Abstract
Problem
Little is known about the burden of influenza in sub-Saharan Africa. Routine influenza surveillance is key to getting a better understanding of the impact of acute respiratory infections on sub-Saharan African populations.
Approach
A project known as Strengthening Influenza Sentinel Surveillance in Africa (SISA) was launched in Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zambia to help improve influenza sentinel surveillance, including both epidemiological and virological data collection, and to develop routine national, regional and international reporting mechanisms. These countries received technical support through remote supervision and onsite visits. Consultants worked closely with health ministries, the World Health Organization, national influenza laboratories and other stakeholders involved in influenza surveillance
Local setting
Influenza surveillance systems in the target countries were in different stages of development when SISA was launched. Senegal, for instance, had conducted virological surveillance for years, whereas Sierra Leone had no surveillance activity at all.
Relevant changes
Working documents such as national surveillance protocols and procedures were developed or updated and training for sentinel site staff and data managers was organized.
Lessons learnt
Targeted support to countries can help them strengthen national influenza surveillance, but long-term sustainability can only be achieved with external funding and strong national government leadership.
...
doi: 10.2471/BLT.11.098244
PMCID: PMC3324873
Copyright (c) World Health Organization (WHO) 2012. All rights reserved.
Improving influenza surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa
Am?lioration de la surveillance de la grippe en Afrique sub-saharienne
C Steffen,a F Debellut,a BD Gessner,a FC Kasolo,b AA Yahaya,b N Ayebazibwe,c O Bassong,d Y Cardoso,e S Kebede,f S Manoncourt,g KA Vandemaele,h and AW Mountsh
aAgence de M?decine Pr?ventive, 25-28 rue du Dr Roux 75724, Paris cedex 15, France.
bDisease Surveillance and Response Programme, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
cAfrican Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda.
dYaound?, Cameroon.
eLuanda, Angola.
fAtlanta, United States of America.
gParis, France.
hGlobal Influenza Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Corresponding author.
Correspondence to C Steffen (e-mail: csteffen@aamp.org).
Received October 26, 2011; Revised January 24, 2012; Accepted January 30, 2012.
Abstract
Problem
Little is known about the burden of influenza in sub-Saharan Africa. Routine influenza surveillance is key to getting a better understanding of the impact of acute respiratory infections on sub-Saharan African populations.
Approach
A project known as Strengthening Influenza Sentinel Surveillance in Africa (SISA) was launched in Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zambia to help improve influenza sentinel surveillance, including both epidemiological and virological data collection, and to develop routine national, regional and international reporting mechanisms. These countries received technical support through remote supervision and onsite visits. Consultants worked closely with health ministries, the World Health Organization, national influenza laboratories and other stakeholders involved in influenza surveillance
Local setting
Influenza surveillance systems in the target countries were in different stages of development when SISA was launched. Senegal, for instance, had conducted virological surveillance for years, whereas Sierra Leone had no surveillance activity at all.
Relevant changes
Working documents such as national surveillance protocols and procedures were developed or updated and training for sentinel site staff and data managers was organized.
Lessons learnt
Targeted support to countries can help them strengthen national influenza surveillance, but long-term sustainability can only be achieved with external funding and strong national government leadership.
...
