The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for global surveillance of influenza virus. It has 115 National Influenza Centres in 84 countries to monitor influenza activity and isolate viruses. They have established six phases to define the onset of a pandemic and help guide governments in their planning.
The identification of a new influenza virus that
spreads to humans will lead the WHO to declare a pandemic. In
B.C., the Office of the
Provincial Health Officer and the British
Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) will
help determine whether a pandemic has arrived in the
province and inform British Columbians.
The BCCDC compiles outbreak reports, information on influenza from physicians, and laboratory reporting. Influenza surveillance reports are provided to Health Authorities and health professionals across B.C. on a regular basis. |