Cross-Border Capacity Building Meeting to Strengthen VPD Outbreak Response Preparedness

Surveillance Medical Officers from WHO India and Nepal Gather in Gorakhpur, India and Biratnagar, Nepal

New Delhi, India —In November 2025, a pivotal cross-border capacity building meeting brought together Surveillance Medical Officers (SMOs) from WHO India and WHO Nepal to enhance preparedness and cross-border collaboration against vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks. The sessions took place in Gorakhpur, India, from November 13 to 14, 2025, and in Biratnagar, Nepal, from November 17 to 18, 2025. The meeting focused on equipping Surveillance Medical Officers from WHO with the tools and strategies required for effective outbreak response for priority vaccine preventable diseases along the shared border.

WHO Country offices  (WCOs) of Nepal and India maintain a network of Surveillance Medical Officers who provide technical support to ensure high quality VPD surveillance at the subnational level. The event featured an overview of  International Health Regulations (IHR) and emergency response framework , providing attendees with critical insights into global standards for public health emergencies. Participants received updates on the standard operating procedures for responding to poliovirus events or outbreaks and measles and rubella outbreaks s, ensuring alignment and swift action in case of cross-border incidents. Additionally, the meeting included capacity building on comprehensive assessment of outbreak preparedness and response for measles and rubella and mitigating possible risks.

A tabletop simulation exercise (TT SimEx) on Polio and measles outbreak stretched across international borders was also conducted during the meeting. Nepal and India share approximately 1800 kilometer long open and porous international border. This exercise provided an opportunity for participants to share insights, discuss management strategies, and strengthen cross-border collaboration in addressing health threats across international borders.

The overarching goal of the meetings was to foster better cooperation and coordination between the two WHO country teams, ultimately strengthening the region's ability to prevent and control VPD outbreaks. By building stronger partnerships and aligning strategies, the region is better positioned to prevent, detect, and control vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, thereby safeguarding public health along the border and beyond.

Figure 1:Participants from WCOs Nepal and India discuss on  joint response to Polio outbreak  during TT-Simulation exercise , Gorakhpur, India

Figure 2: Participants  from WCOs Nepal and India in the Cross-Border Capacity Building Meeting to Strengthen VPD Preparedness, Biratnagar, Nepal