Could Emergency Diseases Surveillance Systems Be Transitioned to Routine Surveillance Systems? A Proposed Transition...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• International Health

Background:

• Humanitarian emergencies disrupt traditional disease surveillance, increasing outbreak risks in vulnerable populations.
• The Early Warning, Alert and Response Network (EWARN) has been crucial for mitigating disease in crises since the late 1990s.
• Transitioning EWARN from emergency response to sustainable national systems presents a significant global challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore strategies for transitioning emergency disease surveillance systems into regular national monitoring frameworks.
• To identify a way forward for adapting EWARN to diverse local conditions and limitations in post-crisis settings.

Main Methods:

• The study involved in-country consultations organized by the WHO Eastern Mediterranean office.
• Discussions focused on unique local contexts, limitations, and potential solutions for system transition.
• Various transition options were presented, adaptable to specific country needs.

Main Results:

• No documented evidence of a universally successful transition exists, making a 'gold standard' difficult to define.
• Local decision-making, guided by broad principles, is identified as the most effective approach.
• Practical steps and guidelines are provided for country-specific modifications.

Conclusions:

• Transitioning emergency disease surveillance systems requires flexible, locally-driven strategies.
• The provided guidelines support the integration of EWARN into national public health infrastructures.
• Adapting EWARN to local needs is key for sustained disease surveillance post-emergencies.