Open AccessInfluenza research in the E astern M editerranean R egion: the current state and the way forward
Author(s) -
Kayali Ghazi,
Webby Richard J.,
Samhouri Dalia,
Mafi Ali Reza,
Bassili Amal
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12136
Subject(s) - scopus , influenza a virus subtype h5n1 , pandemic , influenza a virus , covid-19 , basic research , virology , medicine , environmental health , medline , political science , virus , library science , computer science , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
We searched published literature, surveillance data sources, and sequence databases to analyze the state of influenza virus research and to identify research gaps in the W orld H ealth O rganization ( WHO ) E astern M editerranean R egion. PubMed, Scopus, and other databases were searched for influenza publications and nucleotide sequences. WHO 's F lu N et was searched to determine virologic reporting from each country. We found that influenza research has increased in recent years with the emergence of H 5 N 1 and pandemic H 1 N 1. In some countries, influenza research is growing and is diversified, covering epidemiologic, veterinary, and basic science aspects. However, the volume and diversity of influenza research is low, especially in light of the burden of influenza in the region. To have contemporary and advanced research in the region, systematic surveillance in humans and animals, as well as at the human–animal interface, needs to be boosted. Surveillance data should then be used to answer more important epidemiologic, virologic, immunologic, and basic science questions.