WHO Updates Care Guidelines To Enhance Influenza Management And Pandemic Preparedness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its guidelines for treating influenza patients. These guidelines are intended mainly for healthcare providers managing influenza infections and will also serve as a reference for policymakers and others involved in epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

Influenza is a viral disease prevalent worldwide. Annually, there are about one billion cases of seasonal influenza, with 3–5 million resulting in severe respiratory illness. Seasonal influenza-related respiratory diseases cause an estimated 290,000-650,000 deaths each year, not including fatalities from other influenza-related complications.

In addition to seasonal influenza viruses, animal influenza viruses such as avian and swine flu can sometimes infect humans. These infections can range from mild conjunctivitis to severe pneumonia and even death. Although current animal influenza viruses have not shown the ability to transmit between humans, they still pose a potential pandemic threat.

The updated guidelines include recommendations on using antiviral medications and other treatments like steroids for immune system regulation. This update is relevant for patients with seasonal influenza viruses, potential pandemic influenza viruses, and new type A influenza viruses known to cause severe illness in humans.

Guideline Development Process

A Guideline Development Group comprising content experts, clinicians, patients, ethicists, and methodologists analysed available data to produce these recommendations. They followed standards for trustworthy guideline development using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

These recommendations are part of WHO’s broader response to influenza. This includes the work of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework. The PIP framework addresses gaps in access to effective medical therapies and other tools necessary for combating influenza.

The updated guidelines aim to enhance the management of patients with various types of influenza infections by providing clear recommendations on treatment options.

With inputs from WAM