Global Alert and Response (GAR)"The World Health Organization has developed the Global Alert and Response (GAR) site to inform the public about health emergencies, hoping to reduce panic and the disruption of public services vital to daily life. The Web site provides information on the core functions of the GAR system, emphasizing the global impact of epidemic preparedness and response. The focus is clearly on a coordinated international effort to respond to epidemics and other public health emergencies in an expeditious and effective way, preventing outbreaks from spreading. The site offers updates on disease outbreaks, press briefings, and guidance documents for developing standardized approaches to responding to epidemic-prone diseases. Under Full Coverage of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, the guidance documents are arranged by category and title; they also are grouped according to audience--individuals, communities, and national authorities.
The particular value of this site is in the overviews of a given public health concern in the form of time lines, official statements, and situation updates. In addition, the site explains the purpose and activities of expert teams from the Global Alert and Response Network, who are charged with the responsibility of assessing whether a reported disease event warrants international concern. The diseases that do warrant such concern are listed in alphabetical order. An FAQ section provides information on the severity of specific epidemics, vaccinations, travel advisories, and safety issues. This site will benefit anyone who is looking for the latest news and authoritative information on emerging epidemics and other public health problems that are of concern on a global scale." Choice, November 2009.