Open AccessInfluenza surveillance in Middle East, North, East and South Africa: Report of the 8th MENA Influenza Stakeholders Network
Author(s) -
Abusrewil Suleiman,
Algeer Abdulrahman,
Aljifri Alanoud,
Al Slail Fatima,
Andrew Melissa K.,
Awad Tag Eldin Mohamed,
Al Awaidy Salah,
Ben Alaya Nissaf,
Ben Khelil Jalila,
Dbaibo Ghassan,
Derrar Fawzi,
Elahmer Omar,
Ghosn Nada,
Gabriel Guelsah,
Grasso Cindy,
Hassan Mohamed,
Hirve Siddhivinayak,
Mirza Yusuf Kamal,
Rateb Yousef Moh'd,
Nourlil Jalal,
Nunes Marta C.,
Omaima Idris,
Malande Oliver Ombeva,
SaadatianElahi Mitra,
SanchezPicot Valentina,
Sk. Mamunur Rahman Malik,
Tarraf Hesham,
Walaza Sibongile
Publication year - 2019
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.12628
Subject(s) - middle east , economic growth , vaccination , developing country , population , medicine , environmental health , political science , geography , socioeconomics , virology , sociology , economics , law
The Middle‐East and Africa Influenza Surveillance Network ( MENA ‐ ISN ), established in 2014, includes 15 countries at present. Country representatives presented their influenza surveillance programmes, vaccine coverage and influenza control actions achieved, and provided a list of country surveillance/control objectives for the upcoming 3 years. This report details the current situation of influenza surveillance and action plans to move forward in MENA ‐ ISN countries. Data were presented at the 8th MENA ‐ ISN meeting, organized by the Mérieux Foundation that was held on 10‐11 April 2018 in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting included MENA ‐ ISN representatives from 12 countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates) and experts from the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, and the World Health Organization. Meeting participants concluded that influenza remains a significant threat especially in high‐risk groups (children under‐5, elderly, pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals) in the MENA ‐ ISN region. Additional funding and planning are required by member countries to contain this threat. Future meetings will need to focus on creative and innovative ways to inform policy and initiatives for vaccination, surveillance and management of influenza‐related morbidity and mortality especially among the most vulnerable groups of the population.