Pandemics - Public Health Research Guide

The overall framework for EPR's strategy is the International Health Regulations (IHR). EPR focuses on the leading epidemic and emerging diseases. It develops and strengthens specific global surveillance and response networks for diseases such as influenza, meningococcal meningitis, plague, SARS, viral haemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa) and yellow fever.

Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1994, the EMPRES-Livestock programme plays a major role in the fight against persisting and/or spreading transboundary animal diseases such as mad cow disease and avian flu at a global level, with emphasis on developing countries through international co-operation involving early warning, early reaction, enabling research, and coordination.

Funded by the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General, European Commission EISS collects and exchanges timely information on influenza activity; contributes to the annual determination of the influenza vaccine content, providing relevant information about influenza to health professionals and the general public and the general public and contributes to European influenza pandemic preparedness.

Includes updates on the cases reported on a regional basis, featuring an interactive atlas (in Spanish).

The Secretary of Health and Human Services directs all HHS pandemic response activities.

Coordinates HHS pandemic activities and monitors progress.

Coordinates HHS response activities with other federal departments and agencies.

Coordinates development and revisions of the pandemic preparedness and response plan; coordinates and monitors preparedness activities during the inter-pandemic period, reporting to ASH; coordinates HHS agencies on vaccine issues via the Interagency Vaccine Group (IAVG).

Advises on law related to key pandemic response activities.

Develops communications plan including public messages and materials.

Oversees interactions with other governments and international organizations related to pandemic preparedness.

Works with partners throughout the nation and the world to monitor health, detect and investigate health problems; develops, evaluates and modifies disease control and prevention strategies; stockpiles antiviral drugs and other essential materials; promotes and supports influenza vaccination programs.

Regulates and licenses vaccines and antiviral agents through the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, respectively; develops influenza viral reference strains and reagents and makes them available to manufacturers for vaccine development and evaluation.

Conducts and supports biomedical research, including vaccine research and development.

Oversees the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; coordinates planning for health care and hospital surge capacity and emergency preparedness.

Has the overall authority for emergency response activities and will coordinate interventions to maintain community services during a pandemic.

Provides surge capacity of medical equipment, materials and personnel when needed during an emergency.

Conducts surveillance for influenza in domestic animals.

It is particularly important for California to have a strong pandemic surveillance program as it has several ports of entry for flights and shipping from Asia. The California Influenza Surveillance Project (CISP) obtains and analyzes hospital, pharmacy and laboratory data year-round in an effort to determine the timing and impact of influenza activity and to determine how well circulating strains of the virus match those used in the current influenza vaccines. The Web site provides weekly surveillance updates during the flu season.

Responsibilities of organizations by pandemic phase in Maryland including the role of Federal Government and private and volunteer organizations are detailed in the Maryland Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan.