The African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE)

African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE)

The African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE) is a network of laboratorians, epidemiologists, public health officials, clinicians, veterinarians, researchers, and policy-makers who work together to strengthen the capacity for surveillance and research related to influenza and other respiratory viruses in Africa. ANISE was founded in 2009 and currently has more than 260 members from more than 30 countries working on improving detection, case management, control, and prevention of influenza and other respiratory viruses in Africa.

ANISE has promoted the use of standardized protocols for surveillance of respiratory illnesses with the vision to estimate influenza-associated disease and economic burden in the continent, generating evidence-based data to support public health interventions and relevant changes in policy.

Collaboration among participating countries has led to important studies such as:

Another important activity for the network is to facilitate capacity building through collaboration in epidemiology, laboratory, and surveillance efforts. This has been achieved through one-to-one exchanges between members of various participating countries and also through convening workshops on topics such as data management, scientific writing, molecular diagnostic methods, and disease burden estimation.

An influenza surveillance nurse collects a sample from a child with acute respiratory illness at a local hospital in Rwanda.

An influenza surveillance nurse collects a sample from a child with acute respiratory illness at a local hospital in Rwanda.

Members can use the Network to coordinate with one another and provide laboratory and epidemiologic support to other members.

The objectives of the ANISE Network are to:

  • Generate and disseminate data on the burden and epidemiology of influenza in Africa
  • Share and promote use of standardized surveillance methods in the region
  • Coordinate and provide laboratory and epidemiologic support for the continued surveillance of seasonal influenza and for the detection of viruses with pandemic potential

The Network is open to professionals working on influenza-related projects or research in Africa.

Information is available about the next ANISE meeting which will take place September 11-13, 2023.

Related Web Pages

Influenza in Africa

Influenza virus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. At particular risk of severe disease are young children, pregnant people, people 65 years and older, and people with certain underlying medical conditions. The burden and epidemiology of influenza have been studied largely in developed settings, but influenza may have a different epidemiology in lesser resourced settings such as Africa due to untreated co-morbidities, malnutrition, and other factors. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza illness but, due to cost, most groups at increased risk of severe influenza in low-income countries do not have access to influenza vaccines.z