NIH finalises pocket guide on epidemic-prone infectious diseases

Islamabad:  Health professionals from an array of specialties participated in a two-day consultative meeting organised by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to finalise a pocket guide on epidemic-prone infectious diseases.

The meeting, which concluded here on Wednesday, was attended by physicians, paediatricians, pathologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists and public health experts from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan Army and other partners.

Out of the most important tools used for disease surveillance outbreak detection and reporting is the surveillance case definition booklet. The booklet was developed initially in 2009 with the collaboration of WHO and revised in 2012; it has now undergone further revision. Emerging and re-emerging diseases have been incorporated in the latest version, which will periodically be reviewed in the future as well.

Being the focal point for International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), NIH is mandated to support the IHR core capacities including surveillance. A well-coordinated and functional surveillance system is the backbone for the success of global health security. Besides, good surveillance systems also need uniformity, simplicity and conciseness. Without proper understanding of a health problem, it is difficult to manage or take necessary remedial measures for its eradication. In this context, case definitions booklet is a valuable tool for surveillance officers and outbreak responders.