Road Town, November 21, 2024 (PAHO) – From November 18 to 21, a technical cooperation mission took place in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to strengthen the country's influenza surveillance systems. This initiative, led by PAHO, aimed to review the status of current national guidelines for surveillance of diseases caused by respiratory viruses, assess the operations of SARI sentinel sites, national laboratories, and hospitals managing infectious diseases, and outline an operational plan to improve and expand integrated disease surveillance systems.
These activities were designed to enhance the BVI’s capacity to monitor and respond effectively to respiratory illnesses, contributing to regional health security.
During the mission, an assessment tool was piloted at the SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) Sentinel Surveillance site, located within the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital under the Health Services Authority. This initiative provided insights into the operational strengths and challenges of the site’s surveillance systems, forming the basis for targeted recommendations.
Key recommendations included integrating Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) surveillance in primary care clinics, adopting the PAHOFlu platform for efficient data management, and aligning the DHIS2 system with PAHOFlu variables to standardize and streamline reporting.
These recommendations are expected to have significant long-term benefits for the BVI’s public health system, increasing the efficiency of disease surveillance and enabling quicker responses to respiratory outbreaks. Expanding ILI surveillance will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the flu and other respiratory diseases, while the integration of the PAHOFlu platform and DHIS2 will enhance the accuracy and timeliness of reporting.
“We are deeply grateful to PAHO for their invaluable technical support in assessing our epidemiological and laboratory capacities for implementing SARI sentinel surveillance. This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening our ability to detect and respond to respiratory illnesses in the BVI. By enhancing our surveillance systems, we not only safeguard the health of our local population but also contribute to the collective resilience of the wider regional community against emerging health threats.” said Ms. Harmony Brewley-Massiah, National Epidemiologist at the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Building on these findings, the next steps involve evaluating funding options to expand ILI surveillance, integrating PAHOFlu variables into the DHIS2 platform for influenza surveillance, and conducting training programs to support the transition to these new systems. PAHO will continue to provide technical guidance and support throughout this process.
This collaboration underscores the British Virgin Islands' commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure and demonstrates its proactive role in contributing to the region’s collective capacity to address emerging health threats.
