Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR)

CDC team members and WHO-AFRO representatives conduct an IDSR e-Learning pre-launch workshop in Blantyre, Malawi.

CDC team members and WHO-AFRO representatives conduct an IDSR e-Learning pre-launch workshop in Blantyre, Malawi.

The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) framework makes surveillance and laboratory data more usable, helping public health managers and decision-makers improve detection and response to the leading causes of illness, death, and disability in African countries.

CDC has played a leading role in designing, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating IDSR since its inception in 1988. With funding from USAID, CDC’s IDSR team collaborated with WHO/AFRO to lead the development of the IDSR framework and the design and development of the Technical Guidelines for Integrated Disease Surveillance and the IDSR Training Modules. In addition, CDC programs across the agency reviewed and cleared summary guidelines for the framework’s 40 priority diseases, which include those diseases, syndromes, and conditions targeted by the International Health Regulationsexternal icon (IHR). Strengthening laboratory support to surveillance also is a cornerstone of the IDSR strategy, and CDC’s global laboratory programs have provided guidance on strengthening laboratory networks, accreditation, and external quality assurance for national public health laboratories.

CDC has supported both the development of the IDSR guidelines and country specific adaptations. CDC also supports country implementation of surveillance systems and the integration of laboratory results, capacity building, and response activities. Through the Global Health Security Agendaexternal icon, CDC coordinates with partners and countries to adopt the IDSR framework and meet the detection and response requirements of the IHR.

For more information about IDSR, please visit the World Health Organization Integrated Disease Surveillanceexternal icon website.

To view the current version of the ISDR guidelines, please visit the Technical Guidelines for IDSR in the Africa Regionexternal icon.

Additional IDSR Resources

SurvCost
SurvCost is a spreadsheet-based tool which estimates the cost of IDSR systems at national, region/province, district, and health facility levels. The tool is designed to help public health officials, and may also add value for other disease surveillance system managers.

Introduction to AFRO IDSR Technical Guidelinesexternal icon