The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the São Paulo State Health Secretariat have strengthened their collaboration to improve health surveillance and emergency management systems amid rising public health challenges in the Americas. The initiative comes as countries continue addressing outbreaks of yellow fever, measles, COVID-19, and dengue across the region.
From 27 April to 1 May 2026, a delegation from São Paulo’s health authorities visited PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a technical cooperation agenda focused on strengthening early detection, rapid analysis, and coordinated response mechanisms for public health emergencies. The delegation included senior officials responsible for disease control and epidemiological surveillance in São Paulo State.
During the five-day programme, experts discussed strategic topics such as epidemic intelligence, event-based and community-based surveillance, rapid risk assessment, preparedness for mass gatherings, and strengthening health controls at points of entry. The discussions also highlighted São Paulo’s practical experiences in responding to arbovirus outbreaks, methanol poisoning incidents, and measles outbreaks.
The collaboration additionally focused on regional initiatives designed to strengthen health system resilience across the Americas. Participants exchanged knowledge on the implementation of the Epidemic Intelligence Strategy 2024–2029, the use of innovative monitoring tools such as Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS), and the expansion of resilient infrastructure initiatives including the Smart Hospitals model.
PAHO stated that the partnership reflects a broader regional commitment to improving emergency preparedness and response capabilities. By strengthening early warning systems, information sharing, and coordinated action, the initiative aims to help countries better manage future public health threats and protect population health more effectively.
The cooperation also builds on ongoing collaboration between PAHO and São Paulo authorities in areas such as urban health, regional health system strengthening, and health equity. Previous joint initiatives have focused on improving resilience in megacities and enhancing access to quality healthcare services across metropolitan and inland regions of Brazil.
