title: Regional infectious disease surveillance networks and their potential to facilitate the implementation of the international health regulations.
abstract: The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 present a challenge and opportunity for global surveillance and control of infectious diseases. This article examines the opportunity for regional networks to address this challenge. Two regional infectious disease surveillance networks, established in the Mekong Basin and the Middle East, are presented as case studies. The public-private partnerships in the networks have led to an upgrade in infectious disease surveillance systems in capacity building, purchasing technology equipment, sharing of information, and development of preparedness plans in combating avian influenza. These regional networks have become an appropriate infrastructure for the implementation of the IHR 2005.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, BOX 357236, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. akimball@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Howard Matthew
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Yuzo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arima
authors.forename: Kumnuan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ungchusak
authors.forename: Suwit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wibulpolprasert
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Sok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Touch
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leventhal
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D019058:Community Networks; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014944:World Health Organization