Table 3 Assessment theme and the content for the prevention and control of the pandemic influenza

Assessment of pandemic severity

1. Transmissibility: virological factors and epidemiological observations;

2. Seriousness of disease;

3. Impact: socioeconomic impact [5].

Risk assessment

1. Hazard assessment: identifying, reviewing and ranking influenza viruses of concern;

2. Exposure assessment: epidemiological and susceptibility factors;

3. Context assessment: social, technological and scientific, economic, ethical, and policy and political factors;

4. Risk characterization [5].

Assessment of national planning

1. Planning and coordination;

2. Situation monitoring and assessment;

3. Prevention and containment;

4. Health system response;

5. Communication [27].

Simulation exercises on influenza pandemic responses

1. Orientation: an informal discussion designed to familiarize participants with plans, roles and procedures with a focus on questions of coordination and assignment of responsibilities;

2. Drill: developing and maintaining skills in a single response procedure;

3. Table-top exercise (TTX): a discussion held around a conference or round table over the space of 2 or 3 h;

4. Functional exercise: creating a situation and facilitating a ‘real’ response, and may include such activities as activating command centres, documenting actions and decisions, completing real forms, issuing real communications and responding to simulated media or other questions;

5. Full-scale exercise: focusing on the operational capability of emergency response and management systems [29].

Effectiveness of public health measures

1. Economic effects;

2. Influenza-like illness(ILI), hospitalization rates or laboratory-confirmed cases, incidence rate ratios;

3. Change of behavior [30].