New Delhi (NVI): The World Health Organisation is utilising an international network of expert laboratories to provide support in the detection of the COVID-19 virus globally.
On January 9, the global health body had published interim laboratory guidance for detection of the novel coronavirus.
The purpose of the document is to provide interim guidance to laboratories and stakeholders involved in laboratory testing of patients who meet the definition of suspected case of pneumonia associated with a novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China.
The guidance is continually updated as more data becomes available. The first COVID-19 cases were detected using genomic sequencing.
Nine new countires — Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, and North Macedonia– have reported cases of COVID-19 virus in the past 24 hours.
WHO has taken a three-pronged approach to enhance global diagnostic capacity for the COVID-19 virus:
- Developing a WHO network of 15 COVID-19 reference laboratories with demonstrated expertise in the molecular detection of coronaviruses. These international laboratories can support national labs to confirm the COVID-19 virus and troubleshoot their molecular assays.
- Strengthening national capacity for detection of the COVID-19 virus so that diagnostic testing can be performed rapidly without the need for overseas shipping. Existing global networks for detection of respiratory pathogens are being utilized including, notably, the National Influenza Centers that support the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
- Ensuring ongoing test availability. WHO has procured a commercial assay (manufactured under ISO:13485) with strong performance data and shipped to over 150 laboratories globally as an interim measure for Member States requesting support. The main goal is to strengthen global diagnostic capacity for detection of the COVID-19 virus. Support is now also provided to ensure the quality of testing through the implementation of an External Quality Assurance mechanism.
The deadly virus originated from Wuhan in Chinese Province Hubei in December last year. The virus, which is now rapidly spreading in Europe and Middle East now, has claimed around 2,788 lives. More than 80,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus so far.
WHO head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said that coronavirus outbreak has reached a “decisive point” and has “pandemic potential”.
