Document Summary

It is impossible to address the many complex needs of respiratory virus surveillance with a single surveillance system. Multiple surveillance systems and complementary studies must fit together as tiles in a “mosaic” to provide a complete picture of the risk, transmission, severity, and impact of respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential.

For the first time, this framework:

• demonstrates how respiratory surveillance approaches may be implemented as coordinated and collaborative systems, well-matched to specific priority objectives;
• identifies the most important approaches needed to address specific objectives within domains of 1) detection (early warning), 2) resilient inter-pandemic monitoring, and to 3) inform the use of interventions, in both high and lower resourced contexts;
• illustrates how recent innovations from the COVID-19 pandemic may support ongoing surveillance initiatives;
• guides how properly focused inter-pandemic surveillance may support epidemic, pandemic and other emergency monitoring needs.

Importantly, this framework may help to align technical and funding partners to focus on highest priority surveillance enhancements. We are working with regional and external partners to announce the framework at upcoming meetings and conferences, and will schedule Member State briefings and other relevant events to discuss implementation timelines and toolkits. Translations of the framework in all WHO languages (Fr, Sp, Ru, Ar, Ch) have already started.