Versions
- 2024-08-02 (2)
- 2024-08-02 (1)
Keywords
epidemiological surveillance
pandemic preparedness
influenza pandemic plan
Abstract
Influenza, with its potential for severe global pandemics, remains a significant Public Health concern. Pandemic preparedness, tailored to infectious diseases emergencies, encompasses activities aimed at minimizing risks and mitigating impacts during public health emergencies, irrespective of the event's scale—be it local, regional, national, or international.
Within the broader context of global efforts to enhance resilience against infectious diseases, the World Health Organization's directive for member countries to formulate pandemic response plans prompted Italy to institute the National Strategic-Operational Plan for Pandemic Influenza (PanFlu) 2021-2023. The PanFlu takes a comprehensive approach, outlining various operational dimensions and key actions to be implemented over three years. Special emphasis is placed on the roles and responsibilities of the National Health Service in safeguarding the population, healthcare workers, essential services, and economic activities. Italian regions were tasked with contextualizing this national document to develop their regional influenza pandemic plans.
In 2021 Liguria developed its operational document, addressing the specific needs and characteristics of the region. Incorporating insights from the 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics, the Ligurian plan embraces a dynamic and flexible strategy. It focuses on strengthening emergency structures, safeguarding the regional health system during seasonal influenza, and conducting risk-benefit analyses of public health measures. Notably, the plan places a high priority on epidemiological surveillance of influenza syndrome cases, implementing effective control measures, and optimizing the regional health system and governance mechanisms to ensure swift responses to seasonal influenza. Emphasizing the significance of integrated and coordinated responses, the plan provides comprehensive guidance on the roles and responsibilities of various health sectors.
To evaluate the plan's effectiveness and refine protocols, a recent national simulation exercise (named "Mosaico") marked a significant milestone. This exercise involved the participation of all Italian regions, signifying a collaborative effort towards future implementation and improvement.
In conclusion, the Ligurian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan represents a proactive and adaptable model for public health resilience. The need for a continuous preparedness cycle, global collaboration in surveillance, and strategic planning are pivotal to address the multifaceted challenges posed by potential pandemics.
References
Calabrò, G.E.; Boccalini, S.; Panatto, D.; Rizzo, C.; Di Pietro, M.L.; Abreha, F.M.; Ajelli, M.; Amicizia, D.; Bechini, A.; Giacchetta, I.; et al. The New Quadrivalent Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccine for the Italian Elderly: A Health Technology Assessment. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 4166. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074166.
Gasparini R, Amicizia D, Lai PL, Panatto D. Influenza vaccination: from epidemiological aspects and advances in research to dissent and vaccination policies. J Prev Med Hyg. 2016;57(1):E1-4.
Taubenberger JK, Morens DM. Influenza: the once and future pandemic. Public Health Rep. 2010 Apr;125 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):16-26.
Kim H, Webster RG, Webby RJ. Influenza Virus: Dealing with a Drifting and Shifting Pathogen. Viral Immunol. 2018 Mar;31(2):174-183. doi: 10.1089/vim.2017.0141.
Trucchi C, Paganino C, Amicizia D, Orsi A, Tisa V, Piazza MF, Icardi G, Ansaldi F. Universal influenza virus vaccines: what needs to happen next? Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2019 Jul;19(7):671-683. doi: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1604671.
Dzau V, Yadav P. The influenza imperative: we must prepare now for seasonal and pandemic influenza. Lancet Microbe. 2023 Apr;4(4):e203-e205. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00013-7.
Spernovasilis N, Markaki I, Papadakis M, Tsioutis C, Markaki L. Epidemics and pandemics: Is human overpopulation the elephant in the room? Ethics Med Public Health. 2021 Dec;19:100728. doi: 10.1016/j.jemep.2021.100728.
WHO. Available at https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-security#tab=tab_1 (accessed 1 December 2023)
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Pandemic influenza. Available at https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/pandemic-influenza (accessed 11 December 2023)
Fauci AS. Pandemic influenza threat and preparedness. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Jan;12(1):73-7. Doi: 10.3201/eid1201.050983.
WHO. Pandemic influenza. Global Influenza Programme. Pandemic influenza preparedness. https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/public-health-preparedness (accessed 11 December 2023)
Williams BA, Jones CH, Welch V, True JM. Outlook of pandemic preparedness in a post-COVID-19 world. NPJ Vaccines. 2023 Nov 20;8(1):178. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00773-0.
Marani, M., Katul, G. G., Pan, W. K. & Parolari, A. J. Intensity and frequency of extreme novel epidemics. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2105482118 (2021).
WHO. WHO to identify pathogens that could cause future outbreaks and pandemics. Available at https://www.who.int/news/item/21-11-2022-who-to-identify-pathogens-that-could-cause-future-outbreaks-and-pandemics (accessed 11 December 2023)
Williams BA, Jones CH, Welch V, True JM. Outlook of pandemic preparedness in a post-COVID-19 world. NPJ Vaccines. 2023 Nov 20;8(1):178. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00773-0.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Why is pandemic preparedness planning important? Available at https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/preparedness/why-pandemic-preparedness (accessed 2 December 2023)
Oshitani H, Kamigaki T, Suzuki A. Major issues and challenges of influenza pandemic preparedness in developing countries. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Jun;14(6):875-80. doi: 10.3201/eid1406.070839.
Dzau V, Yadav P. The influenza imperative: we must prepare now for seasonal and pandemic influenza. Lancet Microbe. 2023 Apr;4(4):e203-e205. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00013-7.
Creating a Communication Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Creating a Communication Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Available at https://www.paho.org/en/file/25285/download?token=OFlngfvy. (accessed 11 December 2023)
WHO. Outbreak communication: Best practices for communicating with the public during an outbreak. Available at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/outbreak-communication-best-practices-for-communicating-with-the-public-during-an-outbreak. (accessed 11 December 2023)
Ridenhour B, Kowalik JM, Shay DK. Unraveling R0: considerations for public health applications. Am J Public Health. 2014 Feb;104(2):e32-41. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301704
Tan X, Yuan L, Zhou J, Zheng Y, Yang F. Modelling the initial transmission dynamics of influenza A H1N1 in Guangdong Province, China. Int J Infect Dis. 2013 Jul;17(7):e479-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.11.018.
Minister of Health. Influenza pandemic Plan 2021-2023. Available at https://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pubblicazioni_3005_allegato.pdf. (accessed 11 December 2023)
Delibera di Giunta regionale n. 139/2022. Approvazione Piano Regionale di preparazione e risposta ad una pandemia influenzale (PanFlu) 2021-2023
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One Health. https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/index.html (accessed 12 December 2023).