OFFLU strategic objectives and implementation (v.1.0)
| Strategic objectives | ||
| 1. Be a relevant, visible, and sustainable network of expertise on animal influenzas with world wide geographical representation | Relevance | ‐ Take a leading role in collating, analysing, and communicating data from the animal influenza network to the international community ‐ Review OFFLU objectives in context of current needs /priorities at each Steering Committee meeting ‐ OFFLU network includes the world’s leading animal influenza expertise ‐ Technical Activities (TAs) work on relevant priority issues and include experts with appropriate expertise and experience ‐ An OFFLU research agenda identifies priority research activities for the animal influenza sector ‐ Guidance material is useful and is kept up to date‐ Support relevant training for the appropriate experts ‐ Monitor and evaluate OFFLU activities |
| Visibility | ‐ The OFFLU logo is visible in publications, web pages, conference material, training material, powerpoint presentations, and is used by members of the network ‐ OFFLU is promoted at conferences , meetings, and during media interviews ‐ OFFLU network meetings can run as side events (at other conferences such as the AI Symposium) or stand‐alone events ‐ OFFLU is represented at key scientific meetings and when possible presents relevant data as a demonstration of scientific legitamacy ‐ OFFLU also produces and distributes its own communications material ‐ OFFLU is acknowledged in scientific publications ‐ OIE, FAO, and WHO make regular reference to OFFLU in high level communication ‐ public domain information about OFFLU is up to date and accurate (FAO, OIE, and WHO websites, wikipedia etc) | |
| Regional representation | ‐ OFFLU maintains communication with Regional Contacts , focal points of regional networks (inc. FAO and OIE), and experts from all of the animal influenza networks (avian, swine, equine etc) ‐ Meetings are held in different geographical locations, and where possible at ‐ The Steering Committee and Executive Committees include members from several regions of the worldOFFLU strategic objectives and implementation (v.1.0) OFFLU institutions ‐ Experts from all over the world are chosen for TAs and invited to OFFLU technical meetings ‐ OFFLU is promoted through OIE and FAO Regional Offices and meetings | |
| Sustainability | ‐ That OFFLU members and the pH community are aware of the benefits that OFFLU provides. Namely access to data and material, opportunities for collaborative projects, greater harmonisation (inc. ring trials), and for pH that OFFLU is a source of specialist expertise on AH influenza matters not available within the pH sector‐ OIE and FAO provide adequate funds to support the management of OFFLU and its activities ‐ OFFLU activities reflect current and anticipated funding, and have built in sustainability ‐ The achievements and benefits of OFFLU are highlighted and communicated to OIE , FAO, and WHO to donors, and to network members ‐ Where possible, teleconference and video conferencing are used ‐ Management meetings are organised around other events that have brought experts together ‐ OFFLU avoids excessive management bureaucracy ‐ Executive and Steering Committee meetings and technical meetings take place regularly, but not excessively ‐ OIE, FAO, and WHO make sure that demands on experts are not excessive or duplicated by each organisation‐ Avoid duplication in training ‐ promote bilateral and plurilateral internships, secondments, and exchanges of experts between OFFLU laboratories | |
| 2. Be the key source of useful global information about animal influenza viruses | Key source of information | ‐ OFFLU coordinates the gathering and analyses of useful information from the animal influenza sector including Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres ‐ OIE Reference Laboratories uphold their mandate and comply with the OIE Resolution on sharing data, viruses, and other biological material in a timely manner, and use such information in high priority scientific studies to develop solutions ot influenza problems ‐ OFFLU network members are transparent‐ The benefits of transparency are highlighted ‐ Information sharing is monitored by OFFLU and is reported ‐ Stakeholders understand what OFFLU does and see it as a key source of information about animal influenza |
| Utility of information | ‐ Information requirements of the animal health (AH) and public health (pH) sectors are continually reviewed at OFFLU meetings, and when OFFLU participates in WHO strain selection meetings pH data needs are reviewed ‐ Global animal influenza surveillance data are summarised in an annual OFFLU surveillance report ‐ OFFLU experts continually monitor surveillance data for events that are of potential significance to AH or pH ‐ OFFLU provides guidance on interpreting surveillance data (diagnostic results, sequence data, molecular markers etc) ‐ TAs deliver useful outputs | |
| Coordination | ‐ OFFLU management coordinates collation of surveillance data and exchanges of information between OFFLU laboratories, and with WHO‐ OIE/FAO focal points manage the TAs ‐ Each TA is managed as a project with the leader acting as a project manager ‐ OFFLU generates an annual influenza surveillance report summarising key AH influenza surveillance data relevant to AH and pH ‐ Experts are given adequate notice for proposed OFFLU technical meetings ‐ Relevant information is shared between OIE, FAO, and with WHO in a timely manner ‐ Meetings/teleconferences are used as a mechanism for coordination and data exchange | |
| Communication | ‐ OFFLU website, secretariat email address, and contact list are maintained ‐ Communication with key global partners including WHO, EU, AI Asia network, African networks is maintained ‐ Communication is strategic and not excessive and should avoid the offlu email address becoming spam ‐Technical outputs from TAs, technical projects, teleconferences, meetings etc are disseminated to partners and are available to the wider international community through the OFFLU website ‐ OFFLU experts present OFFLU outputs at relevant meetings ‐ Notes of all OFFLU meetings are published on the OFFLU website | |
| 3. Maintain and foster functional links with the public health sector (WHO Global Influenza programme) | ‐ WHO is OFFLU’s public Health partner and OFFLU’s point of contact for the public health sector ‐ WHO attends OFFLU Steering Committee meetings as an observer ‐ WHO attend relevant OFFLU technical meetings and teleconferences ‐ OFFLU attend relevant WHO technical meetings and teleconferences ‐ WHO is included in OFFLU communications ‐ TA at the HAI to deliver outputs and identify areas for collaboration ‐ Maintain ongoing two way flow of relevant information between OFFLU and WHO ‐ Public health expertise is included in relevant TAs OFFLU and WHO collaborate in joint projects when it comes to issues at the human animal interface | |
| 4. Advocate sharing of animal influenza related biological material and scientific data between experts, with the public health sector, and with the international community | Share information | ‐ Cooperate with partner organisations ‐ Lead by example and ensure transparency through the dissemination of animal influenza information through public available databases, OFFLU website, and other communications ‐ Support and promote OIE Resolution 26 adopted at 76th OIE General Session in 2007 ‐ OFFLU experts generate sequence data and deposit this into publicly available databases ‐ Encourage collaborative research between OFFLU institutes, and where relevant with WHO ‐ Encourage OFFLU staff and Reference Laboartories and Collaborating Centres to publish data and its interpretation in peer reviewed scientific journals and scholarly reviews. |
| Biological material | ‐ Promote ‘professionalism’ and recognition of originator laboratories in publications and subsequent benefits as a primary means of sharing biological material ‐ Guidance on OFFLU website re sample shipment and MTA ‐ Support to sample shipment where funds are available |
| OFFLU Surveillance strategy | Complete document | Aug 2010 | Completed and published online |
| Analysis of AI surveillance questionnaire | Complete document | Aug 2010 | Completed and published online |
| Annual surveillance report template | Agreed format , populate annually | December 2010 | As a template to assist with data collection for AH and PH sectors |
| Generic Laboratory Management plan | Complete document | November 2010 | In process |
| Standard H5 antisera | Select lab and produce standard H5 antisera | December 2010 | Preliminary selection of 2 antisera, out of which one will be selected for production |
| Vaccine group evaluation and updating of vaccine seed strains to protect against emergent variant field virus strains | Adopted in OIE Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for Terrestrial Animals | public domain OFFLU website OIE Manual May 2011 | Complete and on OFFLU website. Submit for comments of OIE Members Nov 2010 |
| Standard RNA | Produce standard RNA | Unknown | FLI have developed an RNA standard |
| To provide a summary of validation material from commercially available diagnostic kits | To develop a work plan and milestones | Unknown | |
| OFFLU Ring trials | Proficiency test for OFFLU lab network | November 2010 | First ring trial 2011 completed. Planning for second ring trial started |
| LAMP project | Project in progress | February 2012 | Two quarterly reports submitted on project progress |
| Evaluation of global AI control measures | Final report | September 2011 | David Swayne completed the project at OIE and published two papers |
| OFFLU technical meetings | Hold annual technical meetings | March 2012 April 2012 | Conducted and minutes available online |
| OFFLU Steering Committee meetings | April 2011, Sept 2011 | Strategic direction, assess progress, develop further projects | |
| One flu | Delivery of business plan and detailed work plan. Ensure that initiative is under OFFLU umbrella | June 2010 | Agenda item July 13 |
| OFFLU Research Agenda | List high level research priorities for animal health influenza sector | February 2011 | Completed and published online |