Outbreak response
WHO's response
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.
Regional Outbreak Response Team
An outbreak Response Task Force was established in 1996 in the Regional Office. This task force is composed of officers from various communicable disease focuses and other relevant focuses. By the recommendation of the Task Force, regional stockpiles (SARS, cholera emergency kits, insecticides) have been established to provide emergency supplies to the Member States. A Regional Outbreak Response Team is currently within the Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response Focus.
Building outbreak response capacities
To strengthen outbreak response capacities in the Member States, WHO has provided technical support to the Member States.