Canada's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Laboratory strategy.

Abstract

The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector (CPIP) is a guidance document that outlines key health sector preparedness activities designed to ensure Canada is ready to respond to the next influenza pandemic. This article outlines Canada's pandemic influenza laboratory strategy as described in the CPIP Laboratory Annex. Laboratory identification and characterization of an influenza pandemic virus is critical to detect the pandemic, develop a vaccine, detect antiviral resistance and inform surveillance functions such as monitoring the geographic spread of the disease. Key elements of the laboratory response will include ensuring there are adequate resources for all activities. Pre-analytical activities include the appropriate collection, transport to the laboratory, triaging and preparation of specimens. Analytical activities refer to the different testing methods for the detection of influenza, including maintaining the ability to culture influenza virus for genetic and antigenic characterization. Post-analytic activities include ensuring front-line and provincial public health laboratories work together to make data and specimens available for surveillance purposes. In the inter-pandemic period, it is important to develop the infrastructure, protocols and processes to enable rapid-response research during a pandemic. This is an evergreen document that will be updated regularly.