Anticipation and response: pandemic influenza in Malawi, 2009

Sambala, Evanson Z.; Manderson, Lenore

Respondents believed that authorities failed to set up influenza specific services to minimise the impact of the pandemic on hospitals and other social institutions. Although wider community interventions such as closing schools were not considered appropriate given the scope of the pandemic, respondents insisted that infection control measures such as encouraging hygiene and sanitation should have been implemented. Most respondents were quick to mention that influenza infrastructure systems were crucial in maintaining operations of surveillance, mitigating and responding to the disease. In reflecting on the implications of this for continued country capacity to respond to pandemics, respondents argued that there was a need for a national influenza centre and/or regional IACs to carry out monitoring and assessment: 'To respond effectively, we need an influenza virology laboratory. This will assist with virus isolation and subtyping of the virus' (P1). Many respondents emphasised the value of procuring biosecurity and bio-safety equipment, particularly influenza diagnostic equipment and reagents, to test influenza samples in local laboratories.