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Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics
Published on: April 6, 2019
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Diagnostic preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.
Mark D Perkins1, Christopher Dye2, Manica Balasegaram3
1Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland.
Lancet (London, England)
|June 5, 2017
Summary
Rapid development of diagnostics is essential for controlling disease outbreaks. A proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, can ensure timely availability of crucial tests like those for Ebola.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious disease
- Diagnostic development
Background:
- Diagnostic tools are critical for managing disease outbreaks, but their development is often slow and costly.
- The response to the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic highlighted delays and high expenses in diagnostic deployment.
- There is a need for proactive strategies to accelerate the development and validation of diagnostics for emerging pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the lessons learned from the diagnostic response to the Ebola epidemic.
- To propose solutions for improving the speed of new assay development for novel pathogens.
- To advocate for a new partnering model to drive rapid development of diagnostic tests and surveillance strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of the diagnostic response during the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak.
- Analysis of the challenges in diagnostic development and deployment.
- Proposal of a proactive partnering model for future epidemic preparedness.
Main Results:
- The diagnostic response to Ebola was effective but slow and expensive.
- A lack of pre-existing, resourced mechanisms hindered early availability of point-of-care tests.
- A new partnering model could enhance the speed and efficiency of diagnostic development.
Conclusions:
- Proactive development of diagnostics, including point-of-care tests, is crucial for effective epidemic response.
- A dedicated mechanism with resources is needed to drive diagnostic development ahead of outbreaks.
- Implementing a new partnering model can improve preparedness for future infectious disease threats.
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