Respiratory viruses, such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, circulate in all parts of the world and cause acute respiratory infections. Most people recover from the common symptoms, including fever, without requiring medical attention. However, respiratory viruses can cause severe illness or death, particularly among high risk groups including the very young, elderly, and those with underlying medical problems. Given the risk to vulnerable groups and the potential for respiratory viruses to cause outbreaks and epidemics, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme monitors and assesses the spread of these viruses on an ongoing basis.

Respiratory viruses surveillance in the Western Pacific Region is based on data provided by Ministries of Health and National Influenza Centers of Member States to the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) online platform RespiMart and open data that Ministries of Health published on its website or shared with the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. 

WHO in the Western Pacific monitors and assesses the spread of these viruses on an ongoing basis regularly publishing regional situation updates.