What are the warning signs that will trigger the rapid containment protocols?
While it is not possible to define precisely how a pandemic virus might appear, detection of unexplained respiratory illness in groups of people should trigger an initial disease investigation. Based on recent experiences with avian influenza and with SARS in 2003, it is expected that local health authorities will respond with a high level of suspicion, and notify national authorities. Receipt of the notification by national authorities will immediately trigger further clinical and laboratory assessment, as well as support for the investigation by WHO and other international partners.
