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An assessment of the current epidemiological and laboratory capacities for influenza-like illnesses and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection surveillance, Yemen 2022.
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  • NASREEN BIN-AZOON,
  • Ali Alwaleedi,
  • Ahmed Thabet,
  • adham awad,
  • ADED ALAMODI,
  • Ammar Al Gailani,
  • bakil shafi
NASREEN BIN-AZOON
MOH

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ali Alwaleedi
MOPH Yemen
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Ahmed Thabet
WHO Yemen
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adham awad
MOH -YEMEN
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ADED ALAMODI
MOH
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Ammar Al Gailani
MOH
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bakil shafi
MOP
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Abstract

Background and objectives: To re-activate infuneza sentinel surveillance system in Yemen after disruption related to repurposing for COVID-19 pandemic. WHO Country Office (CO) in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPH&P) jointly conducted an assessment mission to assess the current situation of the influenza sentinel surveillance system and assess its capacity to detect influenza epidemics and monitor trends in circulating influenza and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential. This study presents the results of the assessment for three sentinel sites located in Aden, Taiz and Hadramout/Mukalla. Methodology: A mixed methods approach was used to guide the assessment process and to help achieve the objectives. Data was collected as follows: desk review of the sentinel sites records and data; interviews with stakeholders, including key informants and partners; and direct observation through field visits to the sentinel sites, MOPH&P and the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL). Two assessment checklists were used: assessment of sentinel sites for SARI surveillance, and checklist for assessment of availability of SARI sentinel surveillance. Results and conclusion: COVID19 has affected health systems and services, and this was demonstrated in this assessment. The influenza sentinel surveillance system in Yemen is not effectively functional, however there’s plenty of room for improvement if investment in the system’s restructuring, training, building technical and laboratory capacities, and conducting continuous and regular supervision visits.
02 Feb 2023Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
08 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
08 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Feb 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept