Third Japanese Encephalitis Laboratory Network Meeting in the Western Pacific Region
Background Information:
The Third Japanese Encephalitis Laboratory Network Meeting in the Western Pacific Region was held in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic from 30 May to 1 June 2011. The meeting was attended by participants from countries in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, temporary advisers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the India National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); and representatives and observers from network laboratores and international partner organizations.
Objectives:
- To review progress in establishing the WHO Japanese Encephalitis (JE) surveillance and laboratory networks and to develop plans for strengthening implementation of surveillance and coordination through the networks
- To learn from, and share experiences in JE surveillance in the two WHO regions in order to facilitate synergy and better collaboration between JE surveillance programmes and laboratories
- To discuss implementation of quality assurance measures, including the WHO accreditation scheme, and to develop plans to sustain and strengthen the WHO JE laboratory network in the Western Pacific Region