Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

The gradual decline of pandemic (2009) H1N1 influenza outbreaks last year culminated in the World Health Organization’s 10 August 2010 announcement that the pandemic had ended, and the world had moved into a post-pandemic period. Coupled with this has been an overall reduction in outbreaks and countries affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1since 2006.

The United Nations (UN) Medical Directors developed this document to provide guidance to UN organizations to prepare and respond to an influenza pandemic. Technical input was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health and infectious disease experts.

UNSIC has sustained the achievements of its first two-three years, adapted to changing circumstances and continued to support effective coordination on influenza, as well as more broadly on pandemic preparedness and One Health. It has operated effectively at both global and country/regional level, and provided crucial linkages between UN agencies and other non-UN actors at all levels. There are significant lessons to be learned from UNSIC’s light, networked approach to supporting coordination.

Dr David Nabarro (Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator) led a roundtable on preparedness at the ISDR Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva on 10 May. The Roundtable explored best practices for financing and coordinating disaster preparedness efforts. 300 people attended the roundtable, which was addressed by panelists from the European Parliament, the Governments of Chile and the United States, and the United Nations.

15 September 2010 - The UN and WB hosted a discussion on the publication of the final UN/World Bank 2010 report entitled "Animal and Pandemic Influenza – A Framework for Sustaining Momentum."

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A framework for sustaining momentum

The United Nations/World Bank 5th Global Progress Report on Animal and Pandemic Influenza provides a comprehensive analysis of avian influenza and other animal and pandemic diseases, analyzes financial and technical assistance, draws lessons from preparedness campaigns and explores the One Health approach for improved coordination between the animal, human and environmental health disciplines.