The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated two new WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) for quality and capacity development with the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS): the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD), Senegal, designated on 21 November 2025, and the Microbiology Division, Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR, China (PHLC), designated on 21 January 2026.
The designations aim to strengthen GISRS capacity, especially at a regional level, and to enhance the overall quality of GISRS operations on the frontline of the fight against influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Strengthening regional surveillance and laboratory quality
IPD has been a member of GISRS as a National Influenza Centre since 1959. For more than six decades, it has contributed laboratory and epidemiological data to support global influenza risk assessment. IPD collects, characterizes and sequences influenza viruses circulating in Senegal and the wider West African region. It monitors disease trends and regularly shares data and virus samples with WHO. These contributions have supported global vaccine composition recommendations and improved understanding of virus evolution in Africa.
As a newly designated WHOCC, IPD will continue to support capacity-building, laboratory quality improvement and outbreak preparedness in the region and beyond.
PHLC has been a key partner in WHO’s External Quality Assessment Programme (EQAP) for the detection of influenza viruses by real time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction since 2006. In 2020, it supported the rapid expansion of EQAP to include SARS-CoV-2. Since 2023, EQAP has supported integrated surveillance for influenza and SARS-CoV-2, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) included as a pilot component.
PHLC also contributes to WHO technical working groups on molecular detection, genomic sequencing and antiviral susceptibility surveillance. It supports assay development, quality monitoring and laboratory performance assessment. As a clinical diagnostic laboratory, PHLC generates epidemiological and genetic data that support early detection and global risk assessment.
As a newly designated WHO CC, PHLC will contribute to strengthening GISRS capacity, enhancing laboratory quality systems, workforce development, and advancing integrated surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses.
WHO Collaborating Centres – the backbone of GISRS
IPD and PHLC join seven other WHO Collaborating Centres on influenza, forming the technical backbone of GISRS. These Centres operate under standardized Terms of Reference of GISRS, including those under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.
At WHO’s request and under its leadership, WHO Collaborating Centres conduct virus characterization, strengthen laboratory quality systems and support National Influenza Centres worldwide. They work closely with WHO regional offices, Essential Regulatory Laboratories and national public health authorities to provide timely risk assessments and inform global vaccine composition recommendations. All these contribute to furthering the implementation of PIP Framework.
Through sustained partnership, harmonized standards and shared expertise, WHO and its Collaborating Centres continue to strengthen a resilient and equitable global surveillance network. This coordinated approach supports preparedness and response to seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic influenza and future respiratory virus threats.
Photo credit: PHLC HK / Janice Lo
Caption: Building of PHLC