Sharing experiences from a reference laboratory in the public health response for Ebola viral disease, MERS-CoV and H7N9 influenza virus investigations
- Author:
Ravindran THAYAN
1
;
Mohd Apandi YUSOF
1
;
Jeyanthi SUPPIAH
1
;
Tengku Rogayah TG ABD RASHID
1
;
Zarina Mohd ZAWAWI
1
;
Nor Aziyah MAT RAHIM
1
;
Fauziah KASSIM
1
;
Rozainanee Mohd ZAIN
1
;
Zainah SAAT
1
Author Information
- Collective Name:Virology Unit, Institute for Medical Research
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Emerging diseases; Influenza A; MERS-CoV; Public health; Reference laboratory
- From: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2016;9(2):201-203
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: An efficient public health preparedness and response plan for infectious disease management is important in recent times when emerging and exotic diseases that hitherto were not common have surfaced in countries with potential to spread outside borders. Stewardship from a reference laboratory is important to take the lead for the laboratory network, to proactively set up disease surveillance, provide referral diagnostic services, on-going training and mentorship and to ensure coordination of an effective laboratory response. In Malaysia, the Institute for Medical Research has provided the stewardship for the Ministry of Health's laboratory network that comprises of hospital pathology, public health and university laboratories. In this paper we share our experiences in recent infectious disease outbreak investigations as a reference laboratory within the Ministry of Health infectious disease surveillance network.
