 Increasing influenza
surveillance
in the Pacific Island Region
An influenza surveillance programme modelled on one already operating in New Caledonia is being implemented in the Pacific Island region. This project, which started in 2006, has now been fully implemented in 14 sites in 13 Pacific Island countries and territories.
Objective
The programme aims at describing influenza virus circulation in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). PPHSN partnership The programme is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coordinated and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pasteur Institute of New Caledonia (IPNC) in partnership with WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza (WHO-CC), and other laboratory and training institutions in the region, such as the Pacific Paramedical Training Centre (PPTC) and the Institute for Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand. Proceedings It involves obtaining basic epidemiological data and respiratory specimens from both hospital and regional health care centre patients, along with laboratory testing of the samples.  Immunofluorescent staining of these clinical samples is performed in the PICTs laboratories for the detection of influenza. Confirmatory testing is performed at the Pasteur Institute of New Caledonia (IPNC) on ethanol-fixed nasal specimens using Real-Time PCR, with additional confirmation and typings performed at WHO-CC.
Read more about the project... | Surveys Leptospirosis survey in the Pacific: Progress report, August 2004 (PDF, 35 KB) Multi-centre Survey on Incidence and Public Health Impact of leptospirosis in the Pacific
(PDF, 62 KB)
Evaluations of reagents In 2004, the Pasteur Institute of New Caledonia and the State Hospital in Yap (FSM) carried out a study to evaluate a new rapid test for dengue serology. The results of the evaluation have been published in WHO Dengue Bulletin - Vol 29, 2005 In August 2002, the Pasteur Institute of New Caledonia performed evaluations of existing rapid diagnostic kits for leptospirosis and dengue. The results are detailed in the reports below: Evaluation of reagents for the serological diagnosis of Dengue - New Caledonia Pasteur Institute (PDF file, 457 KB) Evaluation of reagents for the serological diagnosis of Leptospirosis - New Caledonia Pasteur Institute (PDF file, 547 KB) Laboratory assessments Report of a consultation: Pacific Public Health Laboratory Review in Guam, Saipan, Pohnpei, Majuro and Honolulu, 9–13 February 2004
(PDF, 52 KB) or (Word, 139 KB) LabNet: Laboratory technical re-assessment - Level 1 laboratories - 2003 (PDF, 46 KB) or (Word, 156 KB)
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