title: Assessment of Ebola virus disease preparedness in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct assessments of Ebola virus disease preparedness in countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine of 11 countries in the region agreed to be assessed. During February to November 2015 a joint team from WHO and ministries of health conducted 4-5 day missions to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. We collected information through guided discussions with senior technical leaders and visits to hospitals, laboratories and airports. We assessed each country's Ebola virus disease preparedness on 41 tasks under nine key components adapted from the WHO Ebola preparedness checklist of January 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Political commitment to Ebola preparedness was high in all countries. Planning was most advanced for components that had been previously planned or tested for influenza pandemics: multilevel and multisectoral coordination; multidisciplinary rapid response teams; public communication and social mobilization; drills in international airports; and training on personal protective equipment. Major vulnerabilities included inadequate risk assessment and risk communication; gaps in data management and analysis for event surveillance; and limited capacity in molecular diagnostic techniques. Many countries had limited planning for a surge of Ebola cases. Other tasks needing improvement included: advice to inbound travellers; adequate isolation rooms; appropriate infection control practices; triage systems in hospitals; laboratory diagnostic capacity; contact tracing; and danger pay to staff to ensure continuity of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joint assessment and feedback about the functionality of Ebola virus preparedness systems help countries strengthen their core capacities to meet the International Health Regulations.
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Sirenda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vong
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Reuben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Hammam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Sakka
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Bardan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Vason
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pinyowiwat
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Supriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bezbaruah
authors.affiliation: Health Security and Emergency Response Department, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India .
authors.forename: Roderico
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ofrin
mesh_terms: D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003906:Developing Countries; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006285:Health Planning; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000592:standards; D014944:World Health Organization