The Health Ministry reiterated the government’s dedication to enhancing surveillance and bolstering laboratories to tackle influenza. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, the National Centre for Disease Control conducted a two-day influenza Chintan Shivir in New Delhi from December 22-23. The event served as a platform for discussions to fortify preparedness and response mechanisms for the upcoming influenza season.
The discussions highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral coordination in influenza preparedness, emphasizing the need to enhance surveillance, laboratory capacity, and clinical readiness for prompt detection and response to seasonal and zoonotic influenza outbreaks. A significant outcome of the Chintan Shivir was the formulation of a structured influenza preparedness checklist designed to assist the center, states, and districts in planning for preparedness.
The checklist focuses on four main areas: surveillance, early warning, and risk assessment; strengthening laboratory systems; hospital preparedness and clinical response; and One Health coordination, risk communication, and community engagement. The event reaffirmed India’s commitment to unified national efforts to prevent, detect, and respond efficiently to influenza and other respiratory viral threats.
Participants at the Chintan Shivir, including representatives from various ministries such as health, animal husbandry, agriculture, and environment, as well as premier research institutions, state governments, and international partners, emphasized the importance of a whole-of-Government and One Health approach. The ministries agreed to enhance integrated surveillance across human, animal, and wildlife sectors, boost laboratory and genomic capacities, ensure timely data sharing, and align sectoral action plans with the national pandemic preparedness framework.
