[1] It was established in 1952 to conduct global influenza surveillance and to inform vaccine development.
Several millions of respiratory specimens are tested by GISRS annually to monitor the spread and evolution of influenza viruses through a network of laboratories in 127 countries representing 91% of the world's population.
[1] In addition to the influenza pandemics of 1957, 1968 and 2009, GISRS has coordinated the world’s response to episodic human cases of infection with the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus since 1997, the first outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012 in some countries.
Through these efforts, the realization that the viruses were not only present in tropical countries but might circulate for much of the year was confirmed.
[10] GISRS is considered an "effective early warning system" for changes in influenza viruses circulating in the global population, which helps mitigate the consequences of a pandemic and maintain the efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccines.