The Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project supports countries in detecting priority diseases and antimicrobial resistance through building national and subnational capacities to improve diagnostic networks and surveillance systems. This assistance adheres to the holistic One Health approach, which recognizes that people, animals and their shared environment are interconnected. The project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The prime organization is ICF Incorporated, LLC. FHI 360 and PATH are core consortium partners. FHI 360 leads the diagnostic strengthening components of the project, and PATH leads the surveillance components. Additional resource partners include Metabiota, Gryphon Scientific, African Society for Laboratory Medicine and Abt Associates.

IDDS improves:

• The detection of diseases of public health importance and the identification of antimicrobial resistance in priority infectious diseases through an accessible, accurate, adaptable, timely and integrated diagnostic network system
• The quality of real-time surveillance systems for pathogens of the greatest public health concern, including antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases
• Evidence-based guidance and innovative solutions to strengthen in-country diagnostic networks and surveillance systems

FHI 360 leads the strengthening of diagnostic networks and laboratory systems in support of country goals for the Global Health Security Agenda and tuberculosis control programs. To do this, FHI 360 coordinates with local partners to provide:

• Diagnostic network assessments and gap analyses
• Development of national laboratory strategies and capacity development plans, including workforce development
• Strong and resilient supply chain systems for diagnostic commodities
• Access to functional diagnostic equipment
• Strong specimen referral systems to ensure access to diagnostic tests
• Integrated and optimized diagnostic networks
• Capacity to detect priority infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
• Enhanced diagnostic quality management systems to ensure the quality and timeliness of diagnostic test results
• Strong information exchange mechanisms for patient care and surveillance
• Strong biosafety and biosecurity systems to protect the workforce and communities