Many countries have gained experience in pandemic planning and response
through dealing with the threat or reality of SARS and HPAI. Lessons
learned during these outbreaks have been used when preparing the checklist, with SARS representing a potential pandemic first recognized in humans and HPAI representing a potential pandemic first recognized in birds.
Experience with these outbreaks has shown that there is always room for
improvement in pandemic preparedness. It is expected that the checklist,
as well as the pandemic preparedness plans of countries, will need regular
revision.
The checklist is intended to be comprehensive. It has been divided into
the following main sections:
— Preparing for an emergency
— Surveillance
— Case investigation and treatment
— Preventing spread of the disease in the community
— Maintaining essential services
— Research and evaluation
— Implementation, testing and revision of the national plan
In order to assist countries to set priorities, a distinction is made between
essential and desirable elements of a national pandemic preparedness plan.
Essential elements should be considered by all countries that are developing an influenza preparedness plan, regardless of their resources.
In preparing the checklist, different views were expressed about the elements that should be considered as essential. Table 1 reflects the expert
opinions and the outcome of a consultation,1 and may be used by countries as appropriate.