The main functions of the Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (DSRU) of the Public Health Authority are to monitor and subsequently report on the trends of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Seychelles, verify unusual public health events and suspicions of disease outbreaks - even in cases of rumours and promptly inform the Public Health Commissioner and the Minister of Health so that appropriate and timely decisions can be taken to protect the public.

In the event of an unusual increase of a disease or the emergence of an epidemic prone disease, above the normal threshold, DSRU is obligated to carry out a thorough investigation according to the international Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response manual and other guidelines of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health.