Jordan, 16 August 2022 – The Infectious Hazard Prevention (IHP) programme at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division in Atlanta conducted a joint assessment mission in Jordan.

As COVID-19 pandemic cases decrease in many parts of the world, it is an opportune time to assess the sentinel influenza surveillance system and evaluate its value and ability to capture epidemiological and virological data beyond influenza, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) and other respiratory viruses. In this regard, there are new tools available on influenza surveillance capacity assessment that incorporate SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.

The objectives of the assessment mission were to highlight strengths, identify weaknesses and areas for improvement and propose recommendations to enhance the national integrated sentinel surveillance system in Jordan using the new tools.