Polio and Measles Outbreak Simulation Exercise, Myanmar

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Meeting myanmarDates: 10 – 12 March 2025

Venue: Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Participants: A total of 65 participants from different departments such as CentralEpidemiology Unit, States and Regions Public Health, IHR, cEPI, Medical Services, CDC, Disaster, Health Literacy and Promotion Unit.

The exercise was supported by 12 facilitators, including the NCCPE Chair, senior public health officials, and partners from WHO and UNICEF.

Purpose: The Ministry of Health aims to strengthen Myanmar's capacity for effective vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreak response. The initiative focuses on three key objectives:

  1. Ensuring effective outbreak response plan in place.
  1. Enhancing national capacity through regular simulation exercises, specifically for measles and polio outbreaks.
  1. Maintaining high-level preparedness for VPD outbreak response across the country.

This comprehensive approach ensures that Myanmar can rapidly and effectively respond to potential outbreaks, protecting public health through systematic preparation and capacity building.

Details: 

The three-day simulation exercise captured the following key areas:

  • Overview of Simulation Exercise and International Health Regulations (IHR)
  • Standard operating procedure for response to poliovirus events or outbreaks.
  • Standard operating procedure for outbreak preparedness and response to measles and rubella outbreak
  • Outbreak response experience from Myanmar
  • Readiness assessment for VPD outbreaks.
  • Tabletop simulation (TT SimEx) exercise on polio and measles outbreaks

The TT SimEx was conducted using the modules developed by WHO SEARO. All participants were divided into five groups, ensuring that participants from different departments, areas of work and seniority levels were evenly distributed. A diverse group of experts facilitated each group, with support from the lead facilitator from WHO-SEARO.

The TT SimEx was divided into four sessions: DETECTION, INVESTIGATION, RESPONSE, and RECOVERY. Following each session, groups provided their feedback in the plenary on the exercise and its linkage to the country context.

All participants were fully engaged and actively participated in the process. The exercise concluded with a HOTWASH, an after-action report, and feedback from participants.

The Polio and Measles Outbreak Simulation Exercise marks a significant step forward in strengthening Myanmar's capacity to respond effectively to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and emphasizing practical training methods, this event contributes meaningfully to VPD outbreak response in the country.

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Authors: Dr. Sudhir Joshi (1), Dr. Khaing Khaing Gyi (2), Dr. Raveesha R Mugali (3) 
(1) WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (2,3), WHO Country Office Myanmar 

Photo: Table-top Simulation Exercise group work © WHO Myanmar.