In a pivotal move to enhance global health security, experts from around the world gathered in Boao, Hainan, for the 2024 World Influenza Conference. Under the theme \"Integrated Prevention and Control From Influenza to Respiratory Infectious Diseases,\" the two-day event brought together approximately 100 influenza prevention and control specialists and public health professionals.
The conference served as a platform for sharing advanced global prevention and control technologies, aiming to strengthen pandemic response capabilities. A significant highlight was the recognition of China's influenza monitoring system, hailed as one of the most extensive and effective in the world. This system provides real-time data on influenza activity and epidemic trends, supporting crucial areas such as reagent research, vaccine selection, and drug deployment.
Li Bin, deputy head of the National Health Commission and president of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, emphasized China's proactive role in global influenza efforts. \"We have been actively participating in global influenza prevention and control by timely reporting epidemics, sharing virus strains, and supporting capacity-building in developing countries,\" Li stated.
The conference also addressed the myriad challenges facing global influenza prevention, including climate change, urbanization, intensified animal husbandry, and increased cross-border trade. Experts warned that the continual mutation and recombination of influenza viruses, along with sporadic human infections from animal-derived strains, keep the threat of pandemics ever-present.
Sylvie Briand, Executive Head of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board secretariat, underscored the necessity of international collaboration. \"If we are not able to work together and collaboratively, the virus will win, so we need to stay together,\" Briand remarked.
Sun Yang, deputy director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, outlined China's plans to upgrade its online direct reporting system for infectious diseases. This includes enhancing risk monitoring processes from humans to the environment and animals, and improving pathogen identification capabilities. Sun also highlighted ongoing cooperation with the WHO to share best practices in monitoring, early warning, and emergency preparedness.
As the conference concluded, experts reiterated that preventing and controlling influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases is a long-term and challenging endeavor. They called for closer collaboration between governments and all societal sectors to boost public awareness, develop more advanced and affordable vaccines and medicines, and expedite the implementation of prevention and control measures.
Reference(s):
Experts call for international cooperation against influenza
cgtn.com
