Implementation during the coming year
The specific tools to help countries implement the mosaic surveillance framework will include those to help prioritize respiratory surveillance objectives, map existing systems to priority objectives; and to identify priority enhancements needed. However associated tools will also help national authorities consider the need to strengthen broader enabling structures for surveillance in their countries.
Our vision is that all countries develop well-coordinated mosaics of multiple fit-for-purpose surveillance approaches that address priority surveillance objectives for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential according to country context. Respiratory viruses serve as a prototypical example of the way surveillance systems can work together resiliently to provide a comprehensive picture of disease emergence, spread and impact. There are several respiratory viruses that have important commonalities in terms of virological, epidemiological and clinical surveillance approaches. However, there are areas where this framework has applicability beyond respiratory viruses, and in some cases beyond respiratory pathogens. The next respiratory pandemic remains imminent, and the time is now to apply lessons learned to assure that newly strengthened and properly focused routine surveillance may better support epidemic, pandemic, and other emergency monitoring needs.