Visit to assess the capacity of the national influenza laboratory in Cyprus

3–5 October 2018, Nicosia, Cyprus

National Influenza Centres (NICs) in the WHO European Region serve as a key technical resource and reference point for national authorities in laboratory surveillance of influenza, and play a key role in influenza surveillance at the national level. Through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), they also participate in regional and global surveillance by contributing to the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework and by participating in the Flu News Europe weekly influenza update, a joint initiative of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and WHO/Europe.

At the request of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus, WHO will perform an on-site assessment of the national influenza laboratory at Nicosia General Hospital, to ascertain whether the laboratory complies with the WHO terms of reference for NICs and whether the laboratory can obtain formal recognition by WHO.

Background

NICs are national institutions designated by national ministries and recognized by WHO. They are also part of the WHO GISRS. Among other duties, these centres play a vital role in collecting clinical samples and isolating influenza viruses, making it possible for WHO to monitor the influenza season each year and make vaccine recommendations.