On 23 November 2025, Cairo hosted the annual meeting and workshop on integrated surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Egypt. Around 270 public health professionals, including epidemiologists, data officers, physicians, nurses, and laboratory specialists from 30 ARI sentinel sites across 15 governorates, participated in the sessions.
The workshop aimed to strengthen national capacities in disease surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses, enhancing preparedness for respiratory disease threats, especially those with pandemic potential. Discussions included updates on the global and national epidemiological situations of influenza, COVID-19, avian influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and other zoonotic respiratory infections.
Participants reviewed standard operating procedures for ARI and influenza-like illness (ILI) sentinel surveillance and laboratory operations, analyzed performance evaluation findings, and explored the use of digital tools to improve data quality and timeliness. The National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) and the ARI/ILI Power BI dashboard were highlighted as key platforms for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing respiratory disease data.
The workshop also introduced WHO’s Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) framework, aligning its pandemic preparedness strategies with Egypt’s national health security priorities. Participants shared experiences, addressed operational challenges, and identified measures to enhance coordination across the surveillance network.
The collaboration highlighted Egypt’s commitment to maintaining a responsive, data-driven surveillance system. With ongoing WHO support, the outcomes of the meeting and workshop are expected to further improve surveillance performance, pandemic preparedness, and overall health security across the country.
