Gathering vital evidence: the work of influenza laboratories on pandemic (H1N1) 2009
When a new influenza virus was identified in April, now called pandemic (H1N1) 2009, the network of laboratories around the world began vital, challenging work to investigate and report cases. Health professionals and the public rely on laboratories’ work to map the scale of the pandemic and the spread, structure and behaviour of the virus.
Countries experiencing their first cases try to test and detect as many cases as possible. As infections become more widespread and community transmission occurs, testing strategies shift, to track the virus as it moves into new areas, confirm severe cases, investigate clusters of disease and monitor the virus in the community. Interviewed in the summer, four experts from across the WHO European Region – the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom – explain how their daily work has changed, how they test a swab for the virus and work with WHO, and what challenges they face.
Now, as cases increase across Europe at the start of the winter season, their work is more vital than ever.
Countries experiencing their first cases try to test and detect as many cases as possible. As infections become more widespread and community transmission occurs, testing strategies shift, to track the virus as it moves into new areas, confirm severe cases, investigate clusters of disease and monitor the virus in the community. Interviewed in the summer, four experts from across the WHO European Region – the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom – explain how their daily work has changed, how they test a swab for the virus and work with WHO, and what challenges they face.
Now, as cases increase across Europe at the start of the winter season, their work is more vital than ever.
