Experience of a global laboratory network in responding to infectious disease epidemics.

The challenge of emerging infections transcends national borders. Influenza A (H5N1) severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and diseases that continue to re-emerge such as cholera drug-resistant malaria and dengue can expand rapidly from local to regional or global threats. We were pleased to see that Georgios Pappas and colleagues in their global review of human brucellosis epidemiology discussed serious problems in tracking and containing the disease which apply to many emerging infections: lack of appropriate diagnostic capabilities in developing countries cross-border disease spread from countries with high incidence and emergence of new endemic foci because of socioeconomic and other changes. Several of us have proposed a network of new broad-based laboratories as a way to address such challenges for emerging infections of international importance. These laboratories would assist host countries in developing surveillance systems and responding to epidemics strengthen global epidemic detection and response efforts of WHO in key regions and form links with specialised institutions worldwide to support these activities. (excerpt)