WHO guideline on public health and social measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza

Overview

Influenza epidemics and pandemics remain persistent global public health challenges, characterized by rapid transmission, variable severity and significant impacts on health systems and societies. This guideline examines the role of public health and social measures (PHSM) as non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the spread and consequences of influenza in community settings, particularly when vaccines and antivirals are unavailable or limited.

It outlines a set of evidence-based recommendations on the use of PHSM, developed through systematic reviews and the GRADE approach, including both recommendations supporting and discouraging specific measures depending on their effectiveness and context. The document addresses five main domains: personal protection measures, environmental interventions, case-finding and contact management, social measures, and travel-related actions. It also considers implementation factors such as equity, human rights, acceptability, feasibility, resource requirements and socioeconomic effects, and clarifies its scope by excluding pharmaceutical interventions and specific guidance for health-care settings. Intended for national and subnational authorities and stakeholders involved in preparedness and response, it supports context-sensitive decision-making to reduce transmission, delay epidemic peaks and limit overall health and societal impact.