Abstract
The capacity of public health professionals to rapidly detect and respond to disease pandemics is critical to understand and control global disease spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared H1N1 virus infection as pandemic. In May 2009, we assessed the participation of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) based in sub-Saharan Africa on pandemic influenza preparedness and response. We administered an electronic survey to directors and resident advisors of African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) member and associate FELTPs. The survey included questions on the following attributes: program involvement in suspected H1N1 investigations, experience in influenza outbreak investigations, national influenza surveillance and response plans, and H1N1 outbreak preparedness. Nine countries (100%) responded to the survey; all had existing national influenza response plans. Six programs reported their trainees had participated in past pandemic preparedness and response exercise, five (83%) of them were influenza specific. FELTPs played an important role in H1N1 surveillance and response in sub-Saharan Africa. Continued technical assistance and support to these programs is vital to foster their capacity to monitor and control public health threats.
Highlights
The capacity of public health professionals to rapidly detect and respond to disease pandemics is critical to understand and control global disease spread
We describe an assessment of African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)- Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) involvement in influenza surveillance and response activities
Prior to the phase 6 pandemic H1N1 influenza alert released by the World Health Organization [6] on June 11, 2009 as a result of widespread global transmission of H1N1, we developed a tool to assess influenza surveillance and response activities of AFENET- FELTPs trainees to provide insight into optimizing their capacity to prepare and respond to a possible influenza pandemic
Summary
The capacity of public health professionals to rapidly detect and respond to disease pandemics is critical to understand and control global disease spread. In May 2009, we assessed the participation of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) based in sub-Saharan Africa on pandemic influenza preparedness and response. Results: Nine countries (100%) responded to the survey; all had existing national influenza response plans Six programs reported their trainees had participated in past pandemic preparedness and response exercise, five (83%) of them were influenza specific. The competence of public health professionals to rapidly detect and respond to disease pandemics is critical to understand and control global disease spread. In sub-Saharan Africa there is an ongoing need to staff Ministries of Health (MoH) with individuals well trained in public health preparedness to serve as in-country first responders. After two years FELTP graduates return to their respective countries to build public health capacity through the development and operation of disease surveillance and response systems amongst other critical public health responsibilities
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