The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) of Ecuador completed the second phase of the implementation of the PAHO FLU computer system.
Between November 29 and December 3, the MSP of Ecuador, thanks to the support of PAHO, completed the second phase of the implementation of the PAHO FLU computer system. An online tool for epidemiological surveillance.
The WHO/PAHO created the tool so that the health authorities of the countries can successfully integrate clinical, epidemiological and laboratory components for surveillance of Influenza-Type Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), including influenza and the other respiratory viruses. In addition, PAHO FLU has been updated to integrate the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
In Ecuador, the MSP received training for computer administration, for the technical use of the equipment, and for the review of data registration and import processes from specialized laboratories such as those of the National Institute of Public Health and Research (INSPI).
Dr. Oscar Barreneche, PAHO/WHO representative in Ecuador, expressed his gratitude to the MSP for the promotion and effort made to improve the management and analysis of epidemiological data, which will favor more appropriate decision-making.
In this way, the MSP of Ecuador has one more tool to face the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of other infectious respiratory diseases.