Framework and toolkit for infection prevention and control outbreak preparedness, readiness and response

Overview

As observed in recent large-scale outbreaks, health facilities (HFs) with limited or no infection prevention and control (IPC) capacities can amplify emerging infectious disease transmission within facilities and communities and across borders. To mitigate the risk of disease transmission, WHO has developed two complementary tools:

1. The Framework and toolkit for infection prevention and control outbreak preparedness, readiness and response at the national level (IPC-OFT)

2. Framework and toolkit for infection prevention and control outbreak preparedness, readiness and response: implementation manual

The first tool provides national and subnational authorities with a practical framework of actions for strengthening IPC outbreak preparation, readiness and response, and a toolkit that provides resources to assist in the development of contingency or action plans to achieve this aim.

The second is an actionable tool specifically designed to enhance the uptake of the IPC-OFT. It places more emphasis on practical implementation, aiming to support the countries in effectively applying the principles outlined in the IPC-OFT. This manual has been developed based on the principles of implementation science and lessons learned from previous responses.