Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full page: (LINK).]
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Supporting diagnostic preparedness for detection of avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses in Europe
24 Apr 2013
A novel avian-origin reassortant influenza A(H7N9) virus has been detected in a number of human cases in China since March 2013. To assist European laboratories in verifying and ensuring their diagnostic capability to detect and identify this virus, ECDC jointly with CNRL and WHO Europe is releasing a technical briefing note on Diagnostic preparedness in Europe for detection of avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses.
The briefing note provides:
ECDC provides regular updates on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, and continues to closely monitor and re-assess the situation in collaboration with WHO, US CDC, China CDC and other partners.
Related links:
-24 Apr 2013
A novel avian-origin reassortant influenza A(H7N9) virus has been detected in a number of human cases in China since March 2013. To assist European laboratories in verifying and ensuring their diagnostic capability to detect and identify this virus, ECDC jointly with CNRL and WHO Europe is releasing a technical briefing note on Diagnostic preparedness in Europe for detection of avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses.
The briefing note provides:
- a list of laboratory preparedness considerations to ensure European-wide diagnostic capability;
- an update on current methods used for molecular detection of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus by RT-PCR;
- a table of H7 HA assay validation criteria;
- information on positive controls for RT-PCR assays.
- Laboratories testing for H7 will require a molecular detection capability allowing same-day specific detection ability in response to clinical queries or case scenarios.
- A two-step approach for detection and confirmation of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection should be followed.
- Laboratories require:
- (i) a generic influenza A virus testing capability which will assuredly detect an avian influenza A(H7N9) virus within the Eurasian lineage as influenza A and
- (ii) a specific H7 HA detection capability to confirm the presence of an avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in a sample which is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1, H3 and H5.
ECDC provides regular updates on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, and continues to closely monitor and re-assess the situation in collaboration with WHO, US CDC, China CDC and other partners.
Related links:
- ECDC Rapid Risk Assessment on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, 12 April 2013
- Epidemiological update 19 April 2013: avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China
- About Community Network of Reference Laboratories for Human Influenza in Europe (CNRL)
- More on avian influenza on ECDC website
- WHO Europe update on human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China
- WHO: question and answers on human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus, China
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: question and answers about human infection with A(H7N9) avian influenza virus
- Updates on avian influenza A(H7N9) by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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