PIP Update January

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

FIFTEEN YEARS OF STRENGTHENING PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS IN THE SOUTH‑EAST ASIA REGION

Over the past 15 years, Member States of the WHO South-East Asia Region have achieved remarkable milestones in pandemic influenza planning, preparedness and response, supported through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution (PC) funds. Today, all 10 Member States have operational and tested National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plans (NIPPPs), WHO recognized National Influenza Centres (NICs), and well-functioning sentinel surveillance systems, together forming a robust regional network for timely detection and rapid response to influenza pandemics.Read more

FROM PREPAREDNESS TO EVIDENCE: ADVANCING PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS (PIP), PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR EMERGING THREATS (PRET), AND UNITY STUDIES FOR PANDEMIC INFLUENZA READINESS IN SOUTH‑EAST ASIA, 2025

Influenza continues to pose a persistent global public health threat, with seasonal epidemics and the ever-present risk of future pandemics highlighting the need for sustained preparedness. In 2025, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) accelerated efforts to strengthen pandemic readiness by advancing the complementary implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative, and the WHO GISRS Unity Studies Network. Together, these initiatives supported Member States in enhancing surveillance and laboratory capacities, strengthening preparedness planning, fostering regional collaboration, and generating timely epidemiological evidence to better prevent, detect, and respond to influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens. Read more

WHO SOUTH-EAST ASIA REGION CONVENES 2026 KICK-OFF MEETING TO ADVANCE PIP-PC WORKPLANS

The WHO SEARO convened the 2026 PIP PC Kick-Off Meeting to support implementation of the approved 2026–2027 PIP PC workplans under PIP PC High Level Implementation Plan III (HLIP III). The meeting brought together focal points from WHO Country Offices (WCOs) of nine PIP PC recipient countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste), along with representatives from SEARO and WHO Headquarters (PIP Secretariat and Global Influenza Programme). Held over three days in 90-minute sessions on 19–20 February and 24 March 2026, the meeting provided global and regional updates, reviewed country workplans aligned with HLIP III Output 1 (Policy and plans) and Output 2 (Collaborative Surveillance), and facilitated discussions on collaboration, technical support, and strengthened monitoring and knowledge-sharing to enhance pandemic influenza preparedness across the Region. Read more

FROM DATA TO ACTION: STRENGTHENING INFLUENZA REPORTING TO RESPIMART IN SOUTH‑EAST ASIA

     Building on the outcomes and recommendations of regional webinars on (a) influenza surveillance and (b) insights on both the northern and southern hemisphere vaccine composition meetings, the WHO SEARO in collaboration with Global Influenza Programme (GIP) at WHO headquarters , conducted a two‑day regional virtual training on “Data Uploading in RespiMart and Introduction to Excel Power Query” on 21–22 April 2026. The training was delivered as a direct follow‑up and build-on activity, translating regional discussions into practical action to address identified gaps in the quality, completeness, and timeliness of influenza data reporting across Member States. During the earlier webinars, Member States highlighted several recurring challenges affecting influenza data reporting, including: (i.) Data cleaning and standardization issues, leading to inconsistencies across datasets; (ii.) Difficulties in integrating epidemiological and laboratory data, limiting comprehensive analysis and (iii.) Errors and delays in reporting to the global platform, affecting data timeliness and usability. Read more

INFLUENZA CHINTAN SHIVIR 2025: STRENGTHENING INTERMINISTERIAL AND INTERSECTORAL CONVERGENCE FOR INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS IN INDIA

     In Hindi, Chintan means ‘reflection’ and Shivir means ‘workshop’ or ‘camp’, together referring to a workshop for deep thinking and collective reflection. India convened the meeting titled Influenza Chintan Shivir from 22–23 December 2025, bringing together key national ministries, scientific institutions, and partners in a hybrid format to strengthen interministerial and intersectoral convergence for influenza preparedness, surveillance, and response.The two-day meeting underscored influenza as an ongoing public health threat and a critical entry point for strengthening national and regional health security. Organized by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in technical collaboration with the WHO, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and allied ministries, the Chintan Shivir served as a strategic platform to align human, animal, and environmental health sectors under the One Health approach for strengthened preparedness and response to influenza as a public health threat. Read more

NETWORKS AND TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIPS

ESTABLISHMENT AND EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITY STUDIES NETWORK IN SEAR (2024–2025)

                The WHO GISRS Unity Studies Network – SEAR chapter was established as part of a broader effort to strengthen regional preparedness for epidemics and pandemics. Building on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative focuses on enhancing countries’ capacities to conduct standardized epidemiological investigations using harmonized protocols, thereby enabling the generation of timely and comparable evidence for public health action. In SEAR, the establishment of the network was guided through a phased approach, beginning with regional consultations, adaptation of global frameworks, and progressive engagement with institutions that demonstrated capacity and experience in implementing Unity Studies. Read more

ADVANCING EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS THROUGH RESEARCH READINESS: SEAR UNITY STUDIES NETWORK SITES CHART THE WAY FORWARD IN 2026

                On 25 March 2026, WHO SEARO convened the first meeting of the SEAR Chapter of the Unity Studies Network Meeting in 2026 to take stock of progress and plan next steps for strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness across the Region. The meeting focused on reviewing the ongoing adaptation of selected, standard Unity Study methodologies, sharing field implementation experiences from 2025, and identifying key priorities to guide collaborative work in 2026. The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing regional efforts in South‑East Asia to strengthen early investigations and studies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with a focus on pandemic influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. Read more

FROM PROTOCOLS TO PRACTICE: BANGLADESH SHARES EXPERIENCE APPLYING WHO GISRS UNITY STUDIES DURING AVIAN INFLUENZA INVESTIGATIONS

        As countries across the WHO SEAR continue to strengthen preparedness for influenza and other respiratory pathogen threats, institutions participating in the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Unity Studies Sites Network-SEAR chapter are increasingly translating standardized investigation protocols into operational tools for outbreak response. A global webinar organized by the WHO Global Influenza Programme (GIP) titled Exercising Investigation Protocols and Developing Tools in the Interpandemic Period, provided an opportunity to showcase progress from the WHO SEAR. During the webinar, Bangladesh shared its experience in adapting and applying Unity Studies investigation protocols during recent avian influenza events in the country. The webinar brought together members of the Unity Studies Network, surveillance experts, outbreak investigators, field epidemiologists and public health practitioners across the globe. A major highlight of the webinar was the presentation by Dr Mahbubur Rahman from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh’s National Influenza Centre. He shared Bangladesh’s experience in adapting and piloting theprotocol to investigate non-seasonal influenza and other emerging acute respiratory diseases, demonstrating how standardized protocols can be translated into practical tools for outbreak investigation and response.Read more

BUILDING RESEARCH READINESS FOR RESPIRATORY PATHOGEN PANDEMICS IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA THROUGH ITS WHO GISRS UNITY STUDIES REGIONAL CHAPTER

         Recognizing the importance of timely evidence for informed decision-making and effective emergency response, countries in the WHO SEARO have prioritized strengthening their research preparedness capacity. This need became particularly evident during recent outbreaks, when gaps in the rapid generation and use of standardized data limited early response actions.  To support this priority, countries across the region are strengthening their capacity to conduct early investigations and studies during epidemics and pandemics through the WHO GISRS Unity Studies, supported by the catalytic PIP PC fund. Unity Studies complement other surveillance approaches within the WHO Mosaic framework, which promotes the coordinated implementation of multiple surveillance activities tailored to specific priority objectives.Read more

INSIGHTS FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (SEPTEMBER 2025) AND NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (FEBRUARY 2026) VACCINE COMPOSITION MEETINGS AND STRENGTHENING INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE IN THE WHO SOUTH EAST ASIA REGION

         On 30 March 2026, the WHO SEARO convened a regional webinar that brought together experts from WHO’s Global Influenza Programme, WHO Country Offices, National Influenza Centres (NICs) in SEAR Member States and WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza Research and Reference (WHO CCs) in Melbourne and Tokyo. The session focused on reviewing recent developments in influenza surveillance, virological trends and the global vaccine composition determination process, with particular attention to the 2026 Southern Hemisphere vaccine and the 2026–2027 Northern Hemisphere vaccine. The discussion highlighted the continued importance of strong coordination across global, regional, and national levels to ensure that influenza surveillance systems remain responsive, resilient, and aligned with evolving influenza virus characteristics and global risk assessments.Read more

Other Key PIP Updates (January-June 2026)

MEMBER STATES:

• Bangladesh conducted multiple One Health outbreak investigations – Sylhet (17–21 January, 21–25 April and 14–17 June) and Chattogram (7–10 February) using the WHO adapted Unity Studies protocol to investigate non-seasonal influenza in response to human influenza A(H5N1) cases and unusual poultry deaths, strengthening coordinated surveillance and zoonotic influenza risk assessment across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also approved its updated PRET-based Respiratory Pathogens Pandemic Preparedness Plan, with interministerial endorsement planned later this year, to support its implementation.
• Bhutan coordinated with the Ministry of Health for the procurement of supplies to support influenza genomic sequencing, data analysis, and management of influenza surveillance data.
• DPR Korea supported the continuous operationalization of the national influenza sentinel surveillance system, with regular reporting to RespiMart and no unusual influenza events detected during the first six months of 2026. Ongoing activities include procurement of laboratory supplies, WHO technical monitoring of surveillance sites, and planning for nationwide capacity-building initiatives—including PISA training and sub-national PRET based simulation exercises to strengthen influenza surveillance and pandemic preparedness and response.
• Indiasupported the transition to the new influenza surveillance user interface within the IDSP–Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), improving dashboards, data visualization, and workflows for real-time surveillance and decision-making. They also initiated the development of the influenza related advocacy materials in the country in close collaboration with NCDC.
• Maldives is on the process of updating of the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPPRP) in alignment with the WHO PRET framework, and the development of country-contextualized national guidelines for integrated surveillance, diagnosis, clinical management, and sample referral for influenza and COVID-19 through the consultancy contract.
• In Myanmar, technical support was provided to NIC through human resource support (Jan-June 2026) to sustain data management and laboratory detection capacity of influenza and other emerging & re-emerging respiratory viruses including genomic sequencing.
• Nepal has obtained ethical clearance from the National Health Research Council (NHRC) to conduct the Influenza Burden of Disease (BOD) Study at two hospitals—Province Hospital Surkhet and Bhaktapur Hospital. The study is currently underway and will run from July 2026 to September 2027. In addition, through PIP PC-supported human resources, Nepal has further strengthened its influenza preparedness and response capacity. Key areas of progress include enhanced influenza surveillance, genome sequencing, laboratory certification, development of the national oxygen roadmap, and development of guidance for technical specification of medical equipment.
• Sri Lanka continued discussions on the developing the National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan based on PRET-module 01 and revising Standard Operating Procedures in Influenza Surveillance in the country.
• Timor-Leste continued to strengthen integrated surveillance for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory pathogens through 11 sentinel surveillance sites, with regular reporting to the RespiMart platform (FluID and FluNet). The country also enhanced the National Influenza Centre’s capacity through RT-PCR diagnostics, participation in External Quality Assessment (EQA), and continued virus sharing with the WHO Collaborating Centre in Melbourne.

REGIONAL OFFICE:

• PEM/SEARO finalized the Regional Roadmap and Strategic Action Framework for implementing national respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness and response plans (2026–2031)upon incorporating feedback from Member States and experts across WHO. This is planned to be endorsed through the SEAR Regional Committee Meeting in September this year. This regional roadmap aims to support Member States in developing, operationalizing, and sustaining PRET-aligned national respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness and response plans within broader national health security architectures. Anchored in the WHO PRET and SEAR health security frameworks, the roadmap provides a comprehensive and structured approach to support the transition from pathogen-specific planning to an integrated, transmission-based, multi-pathogen preparedness model for respiratory pathogens.
• PAM-PEM/SEARO conducted a joint WHO SEARO-WHO Collaborating Centre (NIID, Japan) mission to Myanmar (8-12 June 2026) to assess the National Influenza Centre (NIC), review integration of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance within the ILI/SARI sentinel surveillance system, discuss updating the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) using the PRET approach, and review implementation of the 2026 PIP Partnership Contribution work plan. The mission resulted in the following recommendations:
  • Implementation of the way forward agreed with the CEU and the NIC to achieve (1) conducting ILI SARI epidemiological surveillance, (2) reporting to the FluID of WHO (3) prioritization of sites for collection of samples (4) reaching the WHO recommended minimum number of samples for testing (5) start updating the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan. 
  • Initiate an orientation training for reporting to the FluID with the GIP/HQ. 
  • Initiate a webinar on clinical management of Influenza patients as per WHO guidelines with Clinical Management Team at WHO HQ. 
  • Organize a call with NIC India (NIV Pune), WCO India, and WCO Myanmar to organize providing regular supplies to NIC Myanmar via WHO CO-Myanmar.
• Conducted a virtual orientation training on reporting to WHO FluNet and FluID through RespiMART for the Central Epidemiology Unit (CEU), National Influenza Centre (NIC), and WHO Myanmar on 18 June 2026, following recommendations from the joint WHO SEARO–WHO Collaborating Centre (NIID, Japan) mission. The training strengthened national capacity for integrated influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance reporting.
• SEARO finalized the 2024 Global Influenza Strategy landscape analysis compendium, with country factsheets currently under review by Member States prior to publication. Inputs for the 2025 country factsheets have also been initiated to support the next annual assessment of Global Influenza Strategy implementation.
• Conducted a regional training on ‘Data Uploading in RespiMart and Introduction to Excel Power Query’ on 22 April 2026, i in collaboration with HQ technical officer for the WCO influenza focal points of all SEAR countries which training focused on strengthening data quality, consistency, and reporting practices in RespiMart across SEAR Member States.
• Developed and launched the WHO GISRS Unity Studies Network – SEAR Chapter website within PEM/SEARO to facilitate regional collaboration and the sharing of resources, protocols, and study updates among Member States. To access, click here.

RECENT MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONS

MEETINGS:

• 2026 PIP-PC regional kick-off meeting for implementation of Outputs 1 (Policies and Plans) and 2 (Collaborative Surveillance) under HLIP III, held virtually across three sessions on 19–20 January and 24 March 2026, bringing together WHO Headquarters, SEARO, and country office focal points to review approved workplans, implementation priorities, technical support needs, and regional advocacy for the 15th anniversary of the PIP Partnership Contribution.Read more
•  WHO GISRS Unity Studies Network-SEAR Chapter planning meeting, held virtually on 25 March 2026, bringing together Member States and technical partners to review progress on the adaptation and implementation of UNITY Study protocols, share country experiences from 2025, and identify regional priorities for collaborative epidemic and pandemic preparedness activities in 2026. Read more
• Monthly regional influenza coordination call, held during the reporting period, with influenza focal points from WHO country offices to discuss updates from the PIP Advisory Group meetings, recent CDC communications, and key issues related to influenza surveillance, testing, and PIP-PC implementation, while reviewing country progress, challenges, and priorities for the 2026–2027 biennium.

PUBLICATIONS:

• Building Local Research Capacity for Global Pandemic Preparedness: Lessons from WHO Unity Studies and Their Expansion in India.Read more
• Report of Eighteenth Bi-regional meeting of National Influenza Centres and Influenza Surveillance in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

• Regional meeting (hybrid) for Planning National Access, Allocation, and Deployment of Medical Countermeasures against Pandemic Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses of Pandemic Potential, 29-31 July 2026 in Colombo Sri Lanka.
• Nineteenth Bi-regional Meeting (virtual) of the National Influenza Centres (NICs) and Influenza in WHO’s South-East Asia and Western Pacific Region, 25 to 27 August 2026
• Annual Regional Meeting on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) and Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) and Unity Studies Implementation in SEAR”, Male Maldives, tetatively 12-16 October 2026

CONTACT US

For more information, please contact:

Dr Pushpa Ranjan WijesingheProgramme Area Manager (PAM)

Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM)

wijesinghep@who.intWHO Health Emergencies ProgrammeWHO Regional Office for South-East Asia

 https://www.who.int/southeastasia/outbreaks-and-emergencies/pem