What Have We Learned from the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic in 2009 for Strengthening Pandemic Influenza Preparedness?

Received 22 October 2009; accepted 29 October 2009. published online 29 January 2010.

We need to apply lessons learned from previous influenza pandemics to continuously update preparedness and response plans. It has become evident that strengthening networks of international referral laboratories coupled with scaling-up efforts to expand epidemiological surveillance networks is critical for responding and mitigating the impact of influenza pandemics. The current swine-related influenza A (H1N1) pandemic has also shown that international collaboration remains a critical component to effectively respond to influenza pandemics in the current globalized world.

(ARCMED-D-09-00513)

Key Words: Influenza A (H1N1), Pandemic, Pandemic preparedness

a Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

b Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

c Hospital Infantil de Mexico, Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico

d Universidad de Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, México

e Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

f Instituto Carso de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico

Address reprint requests to: Carlos Franco-Paredes MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Global Health, Emory University, 550 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308; Phone; (404) 686-5885; FAX: (404) 686-4508

Conflicts of interest: All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. All authors reviewed data and final version of the manuscript.

PII: S0188-4409(09)00200-8

doi:10.1016/j.arcmed.2009.10.011

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