Regional event-based surveillance in WHO’s Western Pacific Region

Author: Christopher Lowbrdige ¹ ; May Chiew ¹ ; Katherine Russel ¹ ; Takuya Yamagishi ¹ ; Babatunde Olowokure ¹ ; Ailan Li ¹
Author Information

1. Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Surveillance; event based surveillance; risk assessment; Western Pacific
From: Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2020;11(2):11-19
CountryWHO-WPRO
Language:English
Abstract: Abstract:In the Western Pacific Region, event-based surveillance has been conducted for over a decade for rapid detection and assessment of acute public health events. This report describes the establishment and evolution of the Western Pacific regional event-based surveillance system and presents an analysis of public health events in the Region. Between July 2008 and June 2017 there was a total of 2396 events reported in the Western Pacific Region (average of 266 events per year). Events related to infectious diseases in humans account for the largest proportion of events recorded (49%). Maintaining this well-established system is critical in supporting rapid detection, assessment and response to acute public health events, to maintain regional health security.
Full text:wpsar.2020.11.2 11-19 Lowbridge.pdf