Overview of Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response

The Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (ESR) unit works with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific Region to build sustainable national and regional systems and capacities to ensure public health security through preparedness planning, prevention, early detection and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases, including epidemic-prone diseases.

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All member states have established notified disease surveillance systems. WHO is receiving data on notifiable diseases on a regular basis. Data is stored in a database and analyzed at Western Pacific Regional Office. To disseminate this information, the first issue of Western Pacific Regional Office Communicable Diseases Bulletin was published in November 1999. Electronic data entry system using Internet is now under being tested to facilitate quick reporting and feedback.

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WHO has provided support to the Member States in outbreak situations, which include: dispatch of experts in response to government requests; providing supplies and equipment; providing information on diseases and disease control measures; coordination of international investigation teams; and dissemination of information during outbreaks to the Member States and the public.

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Manila, Philippines, 15 June 2012—The World Health Organization (WHO) joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in marking ASEAN Dengue Day on 15 June.

Reiterating its call on all sectors of society to unite in the battle against the disease, WHO urged countries to find innovative ways to improve regional cooperation.

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