The Global Foodborne Infections Network key activities
Activities open to all members
Data sharing and communication between laboratories and individuals. An international, online accessible database that contains contact information of national and regional salmonellosis laboratories, descriptions of laboratory responsibilities, laboratory methods and types of samples received and annual surveillance summary results of most frequently isolated Salmonella serotypes is publicly available.
External Quality Control Sytem (EQAS)
Participation in internal and external quality assurance systems is a useful tool for production of reliable laboratory results of consistently good quality. However, a WHO survey of antimicrobial resistance surveillance capabilities in 1995 determined that more than 50% of laboratories performing susceptibility testing of Salmonella isolates did not participate in any formal system of quality assurance.
Click here for more information: http://www.who.int/salmsurv/activities/GSS_EQAS/en
Country databank
The Global Foodborne Infections Network is a passive surveillance system that collects annual Salmonella summary data from its member institutions. The Global Foodborne Infections Network member institutions (national or regional Salmonella reference laboratories) are asked to provide the following information annually:
- Number of Salmonella isolates identified
- Number of Salmonella isolates serotyped
- Top 15 Salmonella serotypes identified
- Sources of Salmonella isolates (e.g., human, non-human)
These data are entered into a web-based country databank which can be searched for Salmonella serotype frequency nationally, regionally or globally. To enter the country databank click here: http://thor.dfvf.dk/gss
A poster with a recent overview of available data can be downloaded here: http://www.who.int/salmsurv/activities/CDB_poster_Sept09.pdf
Electronic Discussion Group messages
- The electronic discussion group messages enable WHO to communicate items of importance regarding the development of the Global Foodborne Infections Network website and other Global Foodborne Infections Network activities or related information to all member laboratories
- They can also be used by members to share information about serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing and other items related to surveillance of Salmonella
- They are used only to communicate information vital to the development of the Global Foodborne Infections Network and the interests of its member laboratories.
For more information, click the following link: http://www.who.int/salmsurv/activities/bulletin_board/en
Antisera and reference testing services
Members of the Global Foodborne Infections Network enjoy free analysis offered by the National Food Institute in Denmark (DTU-Food), of a limited number of Salmonella isolates per member. Whenever budget permits, Institutional Members of the Global Foodborne Infections Network receive a free set of Salmonella serotyping reagents while attending an International Training Course. Click here to learn more on the topic: http://www.who.int/salmsurv/activities/ref_test/en
Regional and national projects
Through interaction with participants during and after training courses, many interesting issues come up. Occasionally, these issues are pursued by a small coalition of participants and steering committee members and lead to focused regional or national projects. Click here to see a full list of regional and national projects: http://www.who.int/entity/salmsurv/supported/projects/en
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