For almost 75 years, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) has provided the foundation for influenza risk assessment, seasonal vaccine composition and pandemic preparedness. Much of the technical work that keeps the network accurate and up to date is carried out by the WHO working group for the molecular detection and subtyping of influenza viruses and the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in GISRS. The working group develops and updates the influenza detection, subtyping and sequencing protocols, oversees the tools used to assess testing quality and advises on new technologies. Its members include representatives of the WHO collaborating centres (CCs), National Influenza Centres (NICs), essential regulatory laboratories and partner institutions, including the GISAID Data Science Initiative and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU). When the GISRS network was extended beyond influenza to detect respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and, later, SARS-CoV-2 from 2020, the working group’s technical expertise underpinned the shift towards integrated surveillance.
At its 16th meeting, held on 8–10 June 2026 in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, the working group took stock of the progress made by the GISRS network, which continues to grow and now comprises 165 institutions in 136 Member States, including six new NICs and two new WHO CCs. One of the new CCs, the Hong Kong Special SAR Centre for Health Protection, newly designated as a WHO CC on Quality and Capacity Building for GISRS, hosted the meeting.
Reviewing quality assessment results
To track testing quality across the expanding network, the working group reviewed the GISRS external quality assessment programme (EQAP) 2025 results, which showed improved laboratory performance. Of the 172 participating laboratories, 88% reported all influenza results correctly, up from 83% in 2024; correct identification of seasonal influenza rose from 92% to 97%; and 97% of laboratories correctly identified SARS-CoV-2.
Preparing for the unknown
Members agreed to establish a task group to develop protocols and standard operating procedures for the rapid detection of a novel respiratory pathogen for which no specific diagnostic test exists, combining family-level polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequencing and drawing on animal-health expertise, given the risk of spillover from animals. The task group will build on the network’s strong capacity for known pathogens by developing an agreed approach to detect and characterize unknown respiratory threats. The working group reaffirmed that new diagnostic technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, should be considered for assessment only when supported by peer-reviewed evidence.
Looking ahead: agreed priorities and next steps
The meeting concluded with the working group agreeing on a set of deliverables, with responsibilities and timelines. Members agreed to update the molecular detection and sequencing protocols and to document the bioinformatics pipelines used across the network. They agreed to prepare a technical note on verifying molecular assays for influenza and other respiratory viruses, and a training package to help NICs to validate their tests. Members also agreed to share validation data on commercial diagnostic tests to inform procurement decisions. The working group identified bioinformatics capacity, rather than sequencing itself, as the main constraint on the use of genomic data, and therefore suggested adding a bioinformatics exercise to the sequencing component of GISRS EQAP. Finally, the working group will commission a short information note on the value and limits of wastewater surveillance for influenza.