Strengthening of epidemic intelligence for influenza and respiratory diseases at national and subnational levels in egypt in context with public health security - influenza and other respiratory…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a five-year cooperative agreement totaling $200,000 to Egypt's Ministry of Health-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 30, 2026, under the Protecting and Improving Health Globally program (CFDA 93.318).

The award funds strengthening of epidemic intelligence for influenza and other respiratory diseases at national and subnational levels in Egypt. Specific deliverables include expanding surveillance coverage through additional reporting sites; strengthening workforce skills through training and field mentoring; improving laboratory testing and genomic sequencing capacities at subnational laboratories; and upgrading the national electronic disease surveillance system and surveillance dashboards to enhance data quality, interoperability, and real-time reporting. The project also supports implementation of Egypt's national pandemic preparedness plan, laboratory readiness for emerging pathogens, and coordination between surveillance, laboratory, and emergency response systems. Surveillance activities cover seasonal influenza, avian influenza, influenza-like illness, acute respiratory infections, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory viruses of public health importance.

Period of performance runs through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Egypt. Expected outcomes include stronger surveillance performance, enhanced laboratory and genomic capacities, improved data-driven decision-making, greater preparedness for public health emergencies, and more effective outbreak detection and response.

Strengthening of epidemic intelligence for influenza and respiratory diseases at national and subnational levels in egypt in context with public health security - influenza and other respiratory diseases remain major public health threats due to their impact on health and society. Although egypt has an established national surveillance system these threats require continued investment to strengthen disease surveillance laboratory capacity and rapid response mechanisms. This five year project aims to reduce the burden of influenza and other respiratory pathogens by enhancing surveillance systems laboratory and genomic sequencing capacities data management reporting and emergency preparedness. IT will support surveillance of seasonal influenza avian influenza influenza like illness acute respiratory infections covid 19 respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses of public health importance. Key activities include expanding surveillance coverage through additional reporting sites strengthening workforce skills through training and field mentoring improving laboratory testing and genomic sequencing capacities at subnational laboratories and upgrading the national electronic disease surveillance system and surveillance dashboards to improve data quality interoperability and real time reporting. The project will also support implementation of the national pandemic preparedness plan strengthen laboratory readiness for emerging pathogens and improve coordination between surveillance laboratory and emergency response systems. Expected outcomes include stronger surveillance performance enhanced laboratory and genomic capacities improved data driven decision making greater preparedness for public health emergencies and more effective outbreak detection and response. Ultimately the project will help reduce the burden of respiratory diseases strengthen health security and improve egypts capacity to prevent detect and respond to infectious disease threats.