In November 2007, the Intergovernmental meeting (IGM) on Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits, requested that WHO develop an Influenza Virus Traceability Mechanism (IVTM) to track all influenza viruses of pandemic potential contributed by WHO Member States to the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). This IVTM allows the users to trace the geographic transfer of such influenza viruses (Geotrace) and to view the Derivation Tree for the same. Launch of IVTM 1.0 was in December 2010. In 2017, a feasibility study of IVTM 1.0 indicated a necessity to upgrade its platform and functionality. A new version of IVTM (IVTM 2.0) was built on the latest Microsoft .Net and was launched in June 2020. 

To start a Geotrace, click on the Map or "Map" button on home page, select a laboratory, a year, a shipment and a material. The Geotrace will then display geographic shipment tracks, if any, for the selected material. With each displayed Geotrace, you can search for and view any Derivation Trees developed by clicking on the button "Link to derivation tree".

From this Derivation Tree, you may also start a Geotrace for any derived material by clicking on icon IVTM allows public users to view Geotrace and Derivation Tree in a transparent manner. GISRS users may use "Lab login" to enter and use the system.