Washington D.C. March 15, 2025 (PAHO), The Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Network (SARInet Plus) marks a significant milestone with the publication of Advancing Respiratory Virus Surveillance and Preparedness in the Americas: A Decade of SARInet’s Impact, a special supplement in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), SARInet Plus has played a vital role in strengthening respiratory virus surveillance across the Americas.
Established in 2014, SARInet plus has been fundamental in fostering collaboration among hospitals, laboratories, and institutions to enhance surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Over the past ten years, the network has contributed to capacity-building, improved access to diagnostics, and sharing of best practices between its 35 participating countries, PAHO, the US CDC, and other partners.
This collection of seven articles showcases the network’s collaborative work in monitoring respiratory viruses, improving laboratory and epidemiological surveillance, assessing disease burden, and strengthening pandemic preparedness in the Region. It highlights the power of collaboration in strengthening regional surveillance.
The supplement features the following articles:
- 10 Years of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Network (SARInet plus): Accomplishments and Way Forward
- Pandemic Preparedness: Analyzing National Plans for Respiratory Pathogen Pandemics in the Americas Region
- From Epidemics to Pandemics: Over a Decade of Strengthening SARInet Laboratory Surveillance and Response for Respiratory Viruses in the Americas
- Strengthening the Surveillance and Response to Public Health Events With a One Health Approach: A Perspective From 12 Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
- A Comparative Analysis of Universal and Sentinel Surveillance Data for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Insights From Argentina, Chile, and Mexico (2020–2022)
- Annual Estimation of Seasonal Influenza Burden in 6 South American Countries: A Retrospective Analysis of SARInet Surveillance Data to Inform Policies
- Influenza Vaccine-Averted Illness in Chile, Guyana, and Paraguay During 2013–2018: A Standardized Approach to Assess the Value of Vaccination
Looking Ahead
As SARInet Plus enters its next decade, it will continue fostering regional collaboration, surveillance harmonization, and data-sharing, ensuring a strong foundation for future respiratory virus threats. Nevertheless, the true strength and impact of SARInet plus lie in its members and international partners, and the active engagement and continuous involvement of national health authorities will be key to keeping the network relevant and effective.
The full supplement is available at: https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/231/Supplement_2
