Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)
www.who.int/csr/en/ Purpose
The Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) is a verification and response program that monitors and facilitates effective response to outbreaks of 15 infectious diseases: anthrax, avian influenza, viral hemorrhagic fevers (Crimean-Congo, dengue, Ebola, Lassa, and Marburg), Rift Valley fever, hepatitis, influenza, meningococcal disease, plague, SARS, tularemia, and yellow fever. History and operational characteristics
Overall, EPR has six primary functions: - To support Member States in developing national capabilities for epidemic preparedness and response in the context of IHR 2005, including laboratory capabilities and early warning alert and response systems;
- To support national and international training programs for epidemic preparedness and response;
- To coordinate and support Member States for pandemic and seasonal influenza preparedness and response;
- To develop standardized approaches for readiness and response to major epidemic-prone diseases (e.g., meningitis, yellow fever, plague);
- To strengthen biosafety, biosecurity, and readiness for outbreaks of dangerous and emerging pathogen outbreaks (e.g., SARS, viral hemorrhagic fevers); and
- To maintain, improve, and expand a global operational platform to support outbreak response and support regional offices in implementation at the country and regional levels.
The EPR also publishes guidelines and manuals on the surveillance and control of epidemic-prone diseases. Resources include guidance on how to assess surveillance systems; maps to support public health activities at the district, national, regional, and global levels; videos for training health professionals and raising awareness of the diseases and their treatments; software to help analyze and compare data; and databases that track the occurrences of diseases over time. Region/countries served
Global Funding/budget/staff
Not available | 
