MSH has developed a unique multisectoral approach to assist countries in the prevention and control of pandemic and avian influenza. Bringing together ministries of health and ministries of agriculture, along with representatives from other sectors such as education and transportation, MSH helps to implement strategies and interventions for the prevention of disease and for pandemic preparedness at all levels—national to local.

Communities are often left out of national pandemic planning, even though they are the front lines of action during influenza outbreaks. MSH works with municipal governments to disseminate to the community information on inexpensive, accessible, and effective practices—such as hand-washing, cough etiquette, voluntary isolation, ventilation, and disinfection—that greatly minimize human-to-human spread of disease.

SERVICES

Training We conduct trainings in laboratory quality assurance, infection prevention, pandemic awareness, and community awareness. MSH also conducts trainings in joint ministry of health/ministry of agriculture avian influenza preparedness.

Laboratory Capacity-Building We develop and conduct workshops on quality assurance for human and animal health laboratories and assist with the implementation of quality assurance programs that strengthen laboratories’ capacity to properly conduct surveillance and confirm influenza outbreaks. MSH also provides a series of workshops to support applications from countries seeking accreditation as influenza laboratory referral centers.

Surveillance We support the improvement of formal public health surveillance systems for influenza-like illnesses, severe acute respiratory illness, and suspect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). MSH also works to incorporate elements of this surveillance into community-based systems, including the detection of suspect animal and human HPAI cases. Efforts focus on decreasing the number and severity of local outbreaks, which decreases the potential for a pandemic. Health professionals are taught techniques for the appropriate collection and transportation of samples from suspect influenza and/or HPAI cases to facilitate early confirmation, and thus effective control, of disease.

Occupational Health We develop and implement modules on infection prevention and biosecurity for both human and animal health control workers, disseminate isolation and quarantine guidelines to reduce excess mortality among health professionals providing vitally needed care during a pandemic, and provide practical, hands-on training at the community and district levels.