As a part of WHO ongoing efforts to monitor the pandemic, qualitative indicators were developed to accommodate several types of data sources. Using these indicators, countries at different stages of the pandemic can participate in the monitoring effort, regardless of their surveillance and laboratory capacity. The qualitative indicators monitor: the global geographic spread of influenza, trends in acute respiratory diseases, the intensity of respiratory disease activity, and the impact of the pandemic on health-care services.
Interim WHO guidance for the surveillance of human infection with A(H1N1) virus
A description of WHO pandemic monitoring and surveillance objectives and methods can be found in the updated interim WHO guidance for the surveillance of human infection with pandemic (H1N1) virus.
The attached maps display information on the qualitative indicators reported for weeks 30 and 31. Information is available for approximately 50 to 60 countries each week. Implementation of this monitoring system is ongoing and completeness of reporting is expected to increase over time.
