SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

These sole source awards will support the recipients to improve or maintain capacity to conduct seasonal influenza surveillance and detect and respond to pandemic and novel influenza. In addition, the activities funded under these awards will enhance capacity to detect and respond to novel influenza viruses, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, as well as identify outbreaks of severe respiratory illness syndrome and other infectious disease threats through both epidemiologic and virologic detection. These activities will strengthen connections between national institutions, especially National Influenza Centers, to fully participate in data sharing and maintain capacity to share specimens, as well as clinical and epidemiologic data related to influenza circulation.

These entities are in a unique position to conduct this work, as they are either subsidiaries of the host government ministries of health or they are the designated entities responsible for leading influenza surveillance. They have the expertise to support health service delivery and oversee the national coordination of surveillance, preparedness, prevention, and response activities to all forms of health threats and public health emergencies.

Summary of the Award

Recipients: Administracion Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud Dr. Carlos G. Malbran, Argentina; Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile, Chile; Ministerio de Salud Pública de Ecuador, Ecuador; Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama; Caribbean Public Health Agency, Caribbean Region.

Purpose of the awards: The purpose of these awards is to support surveillance and response for pandemic and novel influenza and other infectious disease threats in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and the Caribbean Region.

Authority: This program is authorized under §§ 307 and 317(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242l and 247b(k)).

Period of performance: September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2031.

91 FR 50543