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Initiative 11

First-line defence against flu

The WHO Influenza Surveillance Network is the first line of defence against epidemics and pandemics of influenza. The Network ensures the rapid detection of new strains of influenza viruses around the world and also helps to determine the composition of next season's influenza vaccine. Once a new virus has been detected and isolated, it is stored for possible inclusion in a future flu vaccine.

This global system of surveillance, including over 110 laboratories in 83 countries, provides a model for other global networks and can be accessed at http://oms.b3e.jussieu.fr/flunet

© World Health Organization 1999
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