Global Influenza Surveillance Key to Guiding Policy Decisions, Pandemic Preparedness: Marco del Riccio, MD

Accurately defining the burden of influenza with a strong surveillance system is essential for informing policy decisions and future research, Marco del Riccio, MD, explains in the final segment of his interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^®. He adds that robust, integrated global surveillance could help detect emerging variants early and support proactive preparedness for future influenza seasons.

Watch the previous 5 parts to learn about the Flunomics report, factors that drove the severity of the 2024-2025 US influenza season, and what these trends may mean moving forward.

This transcript has been lightly edited; captions were auto-generated.

Transcript

As noted in the Flunomics report, current surveillance likely underestimates the true burden of influenza. Which data gaps are most urgent to address?

I think it really depends on who is asking the question. In terms of policy making and then recommendations, a clear picture of the burden of disease and in specific risk groups is key, because having an understanding of who is bearing the most disproportionate health burden can help you redirect resources in an environment where resources are not infinite.

This is very important, but on the other hand, I would say that, for instance, even to have a better integrated biological and epidemiological surveillance would be important. I mean, we're not seeing a reduction, let's say, in efforts in surveillance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, but having a good surveillance system in place, and possibly a worldwide surveillance system in place and working well, it is rather important. Why? To check whether variants are emerging and check whether there are new viruses, new subtypes circulating. It is key to understand the disease and react if there’s a need to react.

We know that if we're going to have a new pandemic in the next 15 years, it probably will be an influenza one. Of course, we cannot be sure. We would have said the same 5 years ago, and then it was the coronavirus. But if you ask most experts, if you have to bet $5 on if there will be a new pandemic, which virus will drive the new pandemic? Considering circulation, mutation, variability, and the possibility to mutate, influenza will be the key answer.

So, having a good surveillance system in place is really key to then react. Also, having a good preparedness plan in place to act proactively in every phase of the new emergency or the new pandemic. This would imply that having the surveillance and having the contention systems in place, pandemic vaccines having been developed and produced, etc.

It's not even a matter of reacting. Reacting is the last thing, but we should think proactively about what we should do, what we should have in place, and then what to do if [a pandemic] comes. The first thing, or one of the first things, is a good surveillance system.