Open AccessThe role of the laboratory in disease surveillance
Author(s) -
Andrew B. Kay
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/1996.2.1.68
Subject(s) - quality assurance , outbreak , medicine , disease surveillance , disease control , medical laboratory , medical emergency , epidemiologic surveillance , disease , computer science , environmental health , pathology , external quality assessment , epidemiology
Laboratory information is critical for disease surveillance and control programmes. Before an outbreak, laboratory-supported surveillance allows early detection of cases. During an outbreak a sample of cases should be laboratory confirmed to assess changes in the etiological agent and to guide decisions about the allocation of resources. Support is provided by laboratories of differing capabilities. Field laboratories are useful in areas where resources are limited or nonexistent. More complete testing is usually done in regional laboratories. International reference laboratories may identify rare or dangerous pathogens, identify newly described organisms, and provide uncommon diagnostic reagents. Laboratory information must be accurate, timely and subjected to quality assurance procedures