National surveillance systems

The IHR (2005) require national surveillance systems to be capable of timely detection, assessment and analyses of epidemiological data, including laboratory results, for informed decision-making and report­ing of outbreaks and other public health risks. These systems should also include early warning systems and community-based surveillance.

States Parties will:

• a. ensure that an integrated early warning function for priority hazards is in place, for timely detection of potential outbreaks and other public health risks;
• b. establish, maintain or strengthen formalized data-sharing procedures and tools across sec­tors and between the regional and national levels; and
• c. establish, maintain or strengthen interoperable electronic tools for public health surveillance.

The Regional Office, in collaboration with key partners, will:

• a. support countries, upon request, with analysis and strategic utilization of information collect­ed through national surveillance systems to inform evidence-based policy-making;
• b. support implementation and evaluation of early warning systems for priority health hazards and improve the regular and timely analysis and dissemination of epidemiological data, including laboratory results;
• c. facilitate training and capacity-building on all-hazard risk assessment including biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear and natural hazards; and
• d. support the implementation of data-secure mechanisms on relevant platforms (for example, the WHO Event Information Site) for the exchange of personal data for the purpose of coor­dinated contact tracing between NFPs.