Laboratory capacity at National Influenza Centers by SEARO member country, 2011

Country PCR Virus isolation

Antiviral testing Sequencing Serology (HI)

Bangladesh Yes No No (study at ICDDR,B) No No

Indonesia Yes Yes Yes from sequencing Yes Yes

Nepal Yes No No No No

North Korea Yes No No No No

Myanmar Yes Yes No No No (used to do it)

Sri Lanka Yes Yes No No Yes (but not doing it)

Thailand Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Influenza surveillance activities in SEARO member countries, 2011

Country ILI SARI Comments/other surveillanceBangladesh 26 sites 26 sites Community-based surveillanceIndonesia 24 sites 10 sitesNepal 12 sites 12 sites Only collect samples when epi says there is an

outbreak; 40 epi sites with no lab dataNorth Korea None None Integrated surveillance in 2 provincesMyanmar None None Only outbreak driven, not routine surveillance

Gets samples from chest physician in Yangoon during flu seasonRandom samples 1-3/month from hospitals

Sri Lanka 20 sites 3 site Also accept samples from other hospitals Thailand 11 sites 3 sites 13 Bureau of epi surveillance site; hospitalized

pneumonia surveillance

Summary of Challenges

• Shipping, transport of specimens– In country is biggest challenge– If possible, PCR kits should be door -to-door (not airport to

airport)• Epi-lab integration• Case definitions – standardizing, harmonizing• Improvement of subnational laboratories• Trainings – information on regional trainings, send the

appropriate people, return and start working on it• Lab accreditation