4th Regional Hands-On Training Workshop on the Laboratory Diagnosis of Measles and Rubella Focusing on Molecular Diagnosis
Background Information:
The Region established a measles elimination goal in 2003 and set 2012 as the target year for elimination in 2005. Since then, the Regional Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, consisting of one global specialized laboratory (GSL) and three regional reference laboratories (RRLs), has been developed, with 16 national and 362 subnational laboratories in China. The network plays a critical role in monitoring the progress of measles elimination and rubella control. It does this by confirming measles and rubella cases and providing genotyping or molecular data to understand the epidemiology of measles better. Timeliness in providing reliable laboratory data is critical to identify and respond to imported or endemic chains of measles transmission, particularly as countries approach measles elimination.
Following the Global Poliomyelitis LabNet model, a WHO accreditation system for measles and rubella laboratories was developed at the global level to ensure the performance quality of network laboratories. As quality assurance measures, WHO proficiency testing and confirmatory testing programmes have been established. All network laboratories in the Region send a proportion of serum samples to network RRLs or GSLs that are accredited annually based on WHO accreditation criteria.
Objectives:
- To enhance the knowledge and skills of national measles and rubella laboratory staff in:
- molecular detection of measles and rubella viruses by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing; and
- laboratory quality assurance of measles and rubella diagnosis.
- To discuss Regional management using the new laboratory reporting format.