ABSTRACT:
Background/

OBJECTIVES:
In the context of increasing viral threats in West Africa, there is a critical need for rapid detection and response mechanisms. We supported the deployment of a regional syndromic sentinel surveillance project across ten West African countries through the development and implementation of Teranga, a sovereign digital platform designed to enhance surveillance and early warning capabilities.

METHODS:
The Teranga platform integrates three main modules: syndromic surveillance, laboratory data management, and aggregated data visualization. It was deployed and adapted in close collaboration with national authorities and IT teams in each participating country. Features include real-time data flow between health facilities, laboratories, and national public health institutes, as well as customizable alert thresholds and statistical tools for outbreak detection.

RESULTS:
Teranga has been successfully deployed in ten countries (Mauritania, The Gambia, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Togo, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone). The platform has enabled early detection and timely response to multiple outbreaks, notably in The Gambia and Cabo Verde. It also improved coordination between field-level data collectors, laboratories, and public health authorities, contributing to faster decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS:
The Teranga platform demonstrates how a modular, scalable, and regionally-owned digital solution can strengthen surveillance systems and serve as an effective early warning tool. Its successful deployment across diverse national contexts highlights the importance of local adaptation, sustainability, and regional collaboration in pandemic preparedness efforts.