Assessing Senegals Performance Against the 7-1-7 Benchmark for Outbreak Preparedness: A Retrospective Analysis Using National Surveillance Data (2022-2023)

This study assesses Senegals performance against the 7-1-7 approach, a benchmark for outbreak preparedness, focusing on infectious disease detection, notification, and response from 2022 to 2023. Using secondary national surveillance data, the analysis included socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory information, with data visualized using ArcGIS. Findings showed a median detection period of 12 days, twice the recommended duration, due to factors like healthcare-seeking behavior and lab processing times. Notification was relatively efficient, with a median of 1 day post-lab confirmation. However, delays in activating the national Emergency Operations Center (EOC) were noted. Despite limitations such as incomplete arbovirus data and an unstructured response data system, the study highlights the need to align current surveillance indicators with the 7-1-7 metrics, digitalize the notification system, and empower additional laboratories. These interventions are essential for improving public health responses, enhancing health outcomes, and increasing community resilience in Senegal.