Disease Surveillance Networks

Selected Grantees

The emergence of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, SARS and highly pathogenic avian influenza is driven by several factors.

Increased viral adaptation, population density, cross-border mobility and connectivity within the ecosystem, close proximity with animals, changing animal consumption and production patterns, and ecological shifts because of climate change all help to create the ideal mixing vessel for pathogens.

This facilitates the rapid spread of disease among and between animals and humans, creating particular risks for the health and livelihoods of poor people and raising concerns about national security, safety of the food chain, and overall global public health.

Half of the world’s 1.2 billion impoverished people depending on backyard farming of poultry and livestock for their livelihoods and primary source of protein, and animals are the likely origin of 75% of the world’s emerging infections. In the event of an outbreak, these people are hit hardest with disease, malnutrition and destitution. And with globalization and international travel, outbreaks can wreak havoc on the global economy, as did SARS in 2003.

Once diseases spread beyond a localized region, their expansion becomes exponential and difficult to contain.

Early detection and containment by effective disease surveillance networks is critical to arresting pandemics in their early stages. Disease surveillance networks are a mechanism that encompasses human resources deployment, rapid communication and transparent collaboration for early detection and response to emerging diseases and pandemics.

Disease surveillance in most developing countries today is highly inadequate. This prevents effective responses to outbreaks and pandemics and undermines efforts to build resilience to threats to the health and livelihoods of poor or vulnerable people. Within four years, the Rockefeller Foundation, in partnership with others, intends to help equip developing countries with the tools and human and institutional capacities to improve disease surveillance and response.

Within key developing countries, the Foundation will support work to address:


    This Initiative intends to:

    • improve human resources for disease surveillance in developing countries, thus bolstering national capacity to monitor, report and respond to outbreaks
    • promote collaboration in disease surveillance and response across countries and within regions
    • build bridges between regional and global monitoring efforts

  Regional Activities

To date, the Foundation’s work in building disease surveillance networks has focused on the Mekong Basin Disease Surveillance Network (MBDS). Systems have been strengthened in the six MBDS countries (Cambodia, China’s Yunnan Province, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) and to create an even playing field for regional collaboration. These connections and networks were critical to the response to SARS in 2003 and are now catalyzing pandemic preparedness in the participating countries. more

  Global Activities

Other regional networks exist around the world (such as the RF-supported EAIDSNET—East African Infectious Disease Surveillance Network and MECIDS—Middle-Eastern Consortium for Infectious Disease Surveillance, supported by the Global Health and Security Initiative of the Nuclear Threat Initiative). These regional surveillance networks are independently developing novel approaches that enhance the quality of disease surveillance worldwide. more

Grantee News

A New Approach to Improving Global Health, Humanitarian Efforts, and Disaster Relief
January 17, 2008; Press release
InSTEDD (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases and Disasters), a nonprofit organization focused on improving early detection, preparedness, and response capabilities for global health threats and humanitarian crises, was launched today. InSTEDD has received initial financial backing from Google.org, the Rockefeller Foundation and private donors. Press release; Coverage: NY Times; c/net
Tufts to Study Animal-Human Disease Connection
January 30, 2008; Press release
The Tufts Veterinary School has been awarded a grant to assess veterinary services in Indonesia and consider how advanced training of Indonesian veterinarians can enhance Indonesia’s capacity to prevent and control infectious diseases shared by animals and people. more