Influenza viruses have dynamic characteristics that allow them to evolve. When an outbreak of evolved viruses spread internationally, it is known as a pandemic. The impact of pandemics can be massive; claiming millions of lives and causing significant social disruptions and economic losses.
In this interconnected world, virus transmission can easily spread globally, making it a public health concern that requires attention from government at all levels. Throughout the years, WHO has been developing surveillance, awareness, and action strategies to help enhance preparedness and response to influenza, including providing recommendations based on risk assessments, both globally and nationally.
Indonesia’s biodiversity, tropical climate, and socio-cultural practices (which allow frequent human-animal interface interaction through backyard poultry and live bird markets) make the country prone to zoonotic influenza. Preventing and minimizing the impact of pandemics has become a priority for Indonesia -- mainly because the country’s geographic location connecting two continents makes it a hotspot for novel viruses to spread, and consequently, pandemic diseases to thrive.
The Ministry of Health, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Secretary to the Cabinet, and WHO, have shown their commitment to improving pandemic preparedness by conducting a number of workshops and exercises over the past two years, ultimately building towards the creation of a national pandemic contingency plan.
Background of pandemic preparedness
The road to creating an influenza pandemic contingency plan began in September 2017 when Indonesia conducted a “Pandemic Influenza Epicenter” Simulation in South Tangerang with the support of WHO. Following this successful exercise, the Indonesian government moved forward with further actions, including organizing a workshop to introduce a pandemic planning concept, technical meetings to develop an initial plan, and a review on pandemic preparedness in hospitals. On 28-31 August this year, they joined forces once again in Bandung and set another milestone in developing a national influenza pandemic contingency plan.
A national contingency plan
The contingency plan adopts WHO’s pandemic influenza risk management guideline from 2017, which promotes principles of all hazards emergency risk management for health. The plan not only outlines roles and responsibilities of each sector, but also coordination among sectors. It emphasizes the following components:
- Concept of operation for command and coordination among multisectoral stakeholders, including incorporating international partner role engagement to tackle pandemics.
- Surveillance for early detection and prompt response.
- Medical response for case detection and prompt response, sample collection and laboratory testing to confirm cases.
- Pharmaceutical intervention, including the deployment and administration of antiviral and vaccination.
- Non-pharmaceutical intervention, which includes frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping distance from sick people to limit spread of diseases. Also ensuring continuity of services from essential sectors.
- Risk Communication highlighting infection prevention and control measures.
Thorough pandemic influenza preparedness and response planning help strengthen the country’s health system and capacities for public health emergencies. A multisectoral approach requires government at all levels and community to be involved. WHO is committed to continue collaboration with the Indonesian government in the ongoing process of developing a national influenza pandemic contingency plan.