Grant: Operating Grant

Globally, the threat of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) is on the rise. Significant resources have been invested, albeit sometimes reactive, for the development of pandemic preparedness plans. During recent pandemics, we were challenged to ensure public health and security, quickly and with little information about the new EIDs. Following these incidents, some of the gaps in these plans were apparent. Post pandemic consultations with international experts from across pandemic planning research and decision-making, we better understand how to improve our pandemic plans and responses. We have compiled their recommendations to address the knowledge gaps in planning for pandemic outbreaks and public health emergencies. The most prominent recommendations include developing the methods to combine emerging infectious disease surveillance data with dynamic demographic mathematical models to quickly understand an EID. This will allow researchers to understand how quickly the EID spreads and generate real-time options for policy makers. The mathematical model, looks at the specific characteristics of the BC population to determine exactly what options would best stop the spread of disease in this province. In parallel, we will conduct a complementary project in a public health agency to learn how this new research becomes the basis for new policy during such an emergency situation. This will ensure the most efficient flow of research to the policy makers for future public health emergencies. With appropriate regional demographic and surveillance data, these advanced plans can be implemented in other regions both nationally and internationally. By focusing on real-time pandemic management options and knowledge translation networks, we will provide tools to control EIDs in a coordinated and effective way, reducing both the health and economic burden of these diseases.