Project News

Training course for laboratory diagnosis of a novel avian Influenza virus A/H7N9 was organized in National Influenza Center (NIC) in Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City (PIHCMC) from August 20 to 21st. Lecturers included Dr.Quynh Mai and her colleagues (NIC, NIHE), Dr. Thanh Long (NIC, PIHCMC) and Dr. Kageyama (Influenza virus Research Center, NIID, Japan). Total number of participants was 15 people including 5 staffs from NIC, PIHCMC and 10 staffs from 10 pilot Provincial Centers for Preventive Medicine (PCPMs) such as Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Gia Lai, DakLak, Dong Nai, Tien Giang and Can Tho.

This training course was organized focusing on basic knowledge and laboratory techniques for definite diagnosis to prepare against the possible outbreak of avian influenza virus A/H7N9 which emerged as 2 cases in Shanghai, China March 2013, and is spreading in the southeast area of China with 135 cases and 44 deaths as of August 12, 2013 reported by WHO. The workshop included a wide perspective so far known of this variant virus from clinical characteristics especially of difference in pathogenesis between domestic fowls and humans to its genetic profile in the cleavage site of HA proteins related to transmissibility to humans. The practice of training course provided participants the step-by-step procedure of suspected materials from the viewpoint of biosafety to rapid genetic diagnosis technique employing RT-PCR with primer sets specifically designed for this variant virus. This workshop gave the opportunity for participants responsible in each area to share the information on this variant virus and to strengthen the laboratory network among both NICs of NIHE and PIHCMC, and pilot PCPMs.

Participants on this training course

Practice of preparation of PCR reagents