LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Processed and tested 1,706 specimens. • Participated in WHO’s External Quality Assessment Project (EQAP) with a score of 100%. • Detected 347 influenza viruses: 102 were influenza A(H3N2); 119 were influenza A (H1N1)pdm09; and 126 were influenza B. • Conducted trainings on nasopharyngeal sampling to improve the quality of samples and standardize procedures. TRAINING A training plan was developed to provide required technical assistance to the team to efficiently and effectively manage the project according to international standards. Between 2014 and 2015, the following trainings and meetings were organized in Tunisia: • Conducted two steering committee meetings. • Designated representatives from the SARI centers and ILI sites to participate in two meetings to develop an interaction plan linking SARI and ILI structures to the NIC and DSSB, as well as linking in other entities dealing with surveillance in Tunisia. • Conducted two training workshops (one in the North and the other in Central Tunisia) for 94 health staff involved in sentinel surveillance. • Designated representatives from seven SARI centers to participate in a workshop on biosafety and management of biological risks. INFLUENZA VACCINE ACTIVITIES Received 270,000 doses of influenza vaccine for the 2014–2015 season from the Directorate of Basic Health Care (DSSB). EMR—Country Contacts AFGHANISTAN Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, MSc National Influenza Surveillance Coordinator Afghanistan National Public Health Institute Ministry of Public Health Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan Email: xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx Xxxxxxx Xxx Islam Saeed, MSc Director Surveillance Afghanistan National Public Health Institute Ministry of Public Health Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan Email: xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT Xxxxx Xxxxxx, MD, FETP Director, Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Ministry of Health Cairo, Egypt Email: xxxxx.xxx@xxxxx.xxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, MD, FETP Influenza Surveillance Officer Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Ministry of Health Cairo, Egypt Email: xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx Xxxxx Xxxx, FETP, PGDPHM Surveillance Officer Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Ministry of Health Cairo, Egypt Email: xx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, MA Project Coordinator Epidemiology Unit Ministry of Health Cairo, Egypt Email: xxx000@xxxxx.xxx MOROCCO Xxxx Xxxxxxx, PhD Head, Respiratory Viruses Laboratory Institut National d’Hygiène Ministry of Health Rabat, Morocco Email: xxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxx.xx Xxxxxxx...
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Disseminated weekly virological surveillance data through the AFR Influenza Laboratory Network. • Provided essential reagents and supplies to Algeria, Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Togo for enhancing and sustaining laboratory testing of ILI and SARI clinical specimens. • Provided financial support to the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to strengthen the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) for enhancing virological influenza surveillance. • Strengthened Zimbabwe’s national influenza reference laboratory with financial support. PREPAREDNESS WHO AFRO in collaboration with WHO Headquarters (HQ) is implementing the laboratory and surveillance component of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework in two selected countries, Ghana and Tanzania. Both countries are focusing on activities aimed at strengthening their capacities to monitor trends in circulating influenza viruses. In addition, Tanzania is also implementing activities aimed at strengthening its national capacity to detect novel influenza viruses. Cameroon and Zambia have recently been recruited to join the PIP implementation project. The overall target is to obtain participation from 11 countries in the WHO African region. Efforts are underway to gain participation from seven more countries: Algeria, Burundi, Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. To avoid duplication of efforts, the WHO staff focal point on influenza ensures harmonization of the CDC influenza project and PIP. PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES • Ghana and Tanzania—Conducted self-assessment surveys of their influenza laboratory using WHO standardized tools. • Tanzania—Conducted training on influenza specimen collection and shipment for staff in newly established influenza sentinel sites. Procured IT equipment for the Ministry of Health, laboratories, and sentinel sites to enhance data sharing and ensure monitoring and assessment of influenza events of international concern. • Ghana National Influenza Center (NIC)— Supported sub-regional influenza capacity by training two staff members from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire on influenza virus isolation (18–27 March 2015). • Ghana—Established 24 sentinel sites for influenza surveillance in all regions, between January and April 2015, as part of influenza preparedness. Sent samples from patients with ILI for assessment by the NIC. TRAINING • Participated in and helped facilitate the Influenza Estimating Burden Work...
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Shared virological data on circulating influenza viruses with WHO and other interested stakeholders. • Enhanced the capacity of NPHL to test specimens collected at sentinel sites for influenza viruses by training staff and utilizing updated equipment. • Collaborated with CDC and KEMRI on logistics for specimen collection from surveillance sites and shipping to NPHL. PREPAREDNESS • Conducted training on outbreak investigations of MERS-CoV and avian influenza A (H7N9) at our sentinel sites and major hospitals in the Rift Valley, Nairobi, and the Coastal regions. During these trainings, identified points of contact responsible for periodic reports and channels through which specimens from suspected cases are shipped to the KEMRI and CDC laboratories. Brochures and posters were developed to educate the public on these conditions. The posters were strategically placed at Xxxx Xxxxxxxx International Airport and other main entry points, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Headquarters, and the Embassies of Saudi Arabia and China. Investigation of suspected cases reported by the facilities has been coordinated. PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES • Educated health care workers in public and private health facilities in selected regions on MERS-CoV and avian influenza A (H7N9) virus. • Printed banners on MERS-CoV and avian influenza A (H7N9) virus and placed them at the main ports of entry as well as the Embassies of China and Saudi Arabia. • Printed informational brochures on MERS-CoV and avian influenza A (H7N9) virus and distributed them to travelers from the Hajj as well as those from China to educate them on what to look for and how to react. • Hired a consultant to package the influenza data dossier in the format recommended by the KENITAG and SIVAC.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Conducted IATA training regarding procedures for shipment of dangerous goods for laboratory staff. • Provided extensive training to NIC laboratorians on influenza virus typing, subtyping, PCR, RT-PCR, and reverse genetics techniques. • Participated in WHO’s External Quality Assessment Project (EQAP) for the detection of influenza virus type by RT-PCR with successful results (100%). PREPAREDNESS Pandemic influenza preparedness and planning has advanced considerably in Mali. The Ministry of Health implemented an integrated disease surveillance and response system which will soon include influenza. Mali developed a national strategic plan for influenza surveillance and response. Sentinel site staff were trained on suspected case detection and NIC laboratory capacity has improved. TRAINING • Participated in the Grant Management Training in Madagascar. • Acquired IATA certification training for seven NIC staff members. • Trained trainers in collaboration with CDC. • Trained select sentinel staff members (laboratory technicians, nurses, doctors, and epidemiologists). • Invited to present at the ANISE Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa (December 2014). • Participated in a Grants Proposal Writing Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa (Laboratory Head, NIC and the Project Coordinator). • Participated in a training workshop on Laboratory Diagnosis of Influenza and other Emerging Respiratory Viruses, November 2013 in Accra, Ghana (Laboratory Technician).
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Collected 52 samples of viruses from October- December 2014, and shipped them to the WHO CC in Atlanta for sequencing. • Assigned the head of the NIC to participate in quality management training in France at Agence Française de la Normalisation (AFNOR) and helped conduct and evaluate a management policy based on quality (January 2014). • Trained a virologist on influenza sequencing and phylogenetic analysis at CDC Atlanta in November 2014.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. The SM&O Contractor undertakes to provide the following laboratory service on a monthly basis:
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Provided assistance to laboratories in the region to switch from serology-based surveillance to molecular methods. • Conducted standardized evaluations of influenza laboratory capabilities in each country by TEPHINET and PAHO experts with the CDC/APHL review tool. • Provided technical assistance to the NIC and decentralized influenza laboratories to update algorithms, SOPs, biosafety guidelines, and contingency plans. • Strengthened electronic laboratory information systems. • Participated in WHO’s External Quality Assessment Project (EQAP)—six NICs and two National Influenza Reference Laboratories. • Processed approximately 20,000 respiratory samples yearly (all influenza laboratories combined). • Assisted the Honduras NIC with calculating the sensitivity and specificity of the immunofluorescence assay. • Participated in ongoing discussions on the possibility of creating a regional reference laboratory and establishing an external quality control program on the immunofluorescence assay in the region. • Provided technical assistance to improve quality of cell culture, influenza virus isolation, and selection of isolates and specimens. PREPAREDNESS All countries in the Central American region already have received recommendations to strengthen their Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) plans based on the results from a core capacity assessment for influenza pandemic preparedness and response conducted in 2014. These recommendations have been useful to help the countries prioritize their activities and identify the necessary resources for implementation. Additionally, COMISCA has developed an informatics platform that will provide updated information to the rapid response teams to better contain infectious diseases of pandemic potential. This tool will allow a more efficient use of training resources and available time of the trainees. Several activities have been coordinated with PAHO to help update the national pandemic preparedness plans in the region. PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES • Conducted the core capabilities inventory to respond to influenza pandemic in all eight Central American countries. • Provided support for the development of an electronic platform to provide updated information to the rapid response teams to better contain infectious diseases of pandemic potential. TRAINING • Conducted a regional training workshop to address new WHO influenza surveillance standards and unusual respiratory events surveillance system. • Conducted several hands-on t...
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Each Side intends to inform the other Side of the laboratory activities that they coordinate respectively, with the aim of ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication. In particular, ECDC intends to inform XXXX on the support provided to the nominated networks of national laboratories by the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) network in terms of diagnosis, detection, identification and characterisation of infectious agents. In particular, XXXX intends to inform ECDC of the studies to be carried out by laboratories supported by XXXX, on the characterisation of emerging pathogens, and of their results. Where relevant, XXXX intends to consult with ECDC on the design and outcome of these studies. XXXX informs ECDC of the result of the epidemic intelligence gathered at global level through HERA laboratory initiatives.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. I understand that during the laboratory experiences I will role-play as both an EMT/PS and a patient. I will be expected to have physical contact with other students while learning various skills and have skills practiced on myself. Examples of such laboratory experiences may include patient exams, splinting, lifting and moving, assessment of vitals, venipuncture, etc. During the laboratory experiences I agree to follow theories and principles of safe, legal and ethical practice. Student Health I agree that I will not knowingly place myself, patients, preceptors or others in an unsafe situation based on my physical, mental, or emotional limitations. I have read the Physical Requirements for an EMT and noted any special requirements. I have read and agree to complete the physical exam and immunizations as required prior to patient contact.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES. Laboratory activities are an integral part of the program. The tools, test equipment, materials, processes and safety practices used in these laboratory activities are similar to those used in industry. The activities provide instruction in maintenance techniques, computer aided drafting/design skills, technical communications, maintenance and operation of various industrial components, quality control and testing, material handling protocols, and proper usage of tools and instrumentation.
