EMPHNET, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), convened a four-day regional workshop on conducting Early Action Reviews (EARs) using the 7-1-7 Target, bringing together public health professionals from eight countries including Oman, Bangladesh, Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. The workshop aimed to strengthen technical capacity and operational readiness to conduct EARs using the 7-1-7 Target and translate findings into practical actions to improve outbreak detection, notification, and response.

The workshop provided participants with a combination of technical learning and practical application. Participants were introduced to the 7-1-7 Target, explored country experiences and best practices, and engaged in hands-on training on the EAR process and the practical application of 7-1-7 tools. Simulation exercises and tabletop scenarios enabled participants to practice applying the approach to outbreak situations, identify bottlenecks and enabling factors, and develop corrective actions to improve the timeliness of public health event detection, notification, and response.

A key component of the workshop was the “Bring Your Own Data” exercise, which enabled participants to apply the 7-1-7 approach to outbreak data from their own countries. Participants used data consolidation tools and outbreak review templates to assess performance against the 7-1-7 Target, identify bottlenecks and enabling factors, and develop country-specific action plans to strengthen timely detection, notification, and response. Through systems and stakeholder mapping exercises, they also explored opportunities to integrate 7-1-7 and EARs into existing national systems, processes, and workflows, while clarifying roles and responsibilities across relevant stakeholders. The exchange of country experiences further supported peer learning, allowing countries to learn from different implementation experiences and identify opportunities for continued regional collaboration.

The workshop also built on EMPHNET’s ongoing regional efforts to advance the use of the 7-1-7 Target. Earlier in February 2026, EMPHNET hosted a regional workshop with eight countries, followed by continued engagement with participating countries as they moved forward with the national plans developed during the workshop. The August workshop expanded this regional effort to a new group of countries, further strengthening a growing network of countries equipped to apply 7-1-7 and EARs in practice.

By combining practical training, simulation, application to real outbreak data, and country action planning, the workshop strengthened participants’ capacity to use EARs and the 7-1-7 Target to identify performance gaps, translate lessons into corrective actions, and strengthen the timeliness and effectiveness of outbreak response across the region.