WHO H5 Reference Laboratories

In 2004, the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory Network was established, as an ad hoc component of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), in response to the public health needs arising from avian influenza A(H5N1) infection in humans and influenza pandemic preparedness.

• List of WHO H5 Reference Laboratories
• Terms of Reference for WHO H5 Reference Laboratories
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Avian influenza surveillance, laboratory and virology

Avian influenza viruses, circulating in avian populations, pose a permanent threat to public health, in particular those sporadically infecting human populations, e.g. A(H5N1), A(H9N2) as well as A(H7N7).

The GISRS has been playing a key role in laboratory surveillance, preparedness and response.

Related documents

• WHO criteria for accepting positive PCR test results of H5 infection in humans from national reference laboratories
• Collecting, preserving and shipping specimens for the diagnosis of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection