1. The role of FAO in supporting laboratory diagnosis of influenza in the Americas
Cedric Lazarus
Livestock Development Officer
FAO Sub-regional Offices for Central America and the Caribbean

2. Food and Agriculture Organization Technical Cooperation Programme in the Americas
Country Priority
Regional Priority
Global Priority

3. Strengthening of the Official Veterinary Services
Partners include
PAHO, WHO
OIE
USDA
IICA
CIRAD
National Universities
Others

4. Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic Training and Capacity Building

5. Training and capacity building in Avian Influenza diagnostics
Promote best practices for diagnosis in the field and in the laboratory
Laboratory diagnostic training conducted across the regions under regional projects implemented by the FAO

6. Strengthening capacity for the diagnosis of influenza viruses in veterinary labs
Training in ELISA as a screening test for avian influenza
Most veterinary labs in the Americas have access to ELISA machines and reagents
Validated ELISA AI kits for poultry are usually available commercially.

7. Training in Avian Influenza diagnosis for veterinary lab technicians

8. Diagnosis in the field
Training in the epidemiology and recognition of clinical signs of influenza in poultry and swine
Training in sample collection. Which sample, how much, how to transport it to the lab

9. Avian influenza outbreak on a layer farm in Central America

10. Avian Influenza Diagnosis in the field
Use and application of avian influenza rapid tests kits in the field.
Those validated and recommended by the OIE
Collection of the appropriate samples for the laboratory

11. Strengthening capacity for the diagnosis of influenza viruses in veterinary Labs
Training in the Agar Gel immune Diffusion test or AGID
Influenza A in chickens, low cost and most labs can run these tests. Reagents available from Reference Labs
These training have been conducted in all regions of the Americas under FAO programme to build capacity of the official veterinary services

12. Strengthening capacity for the diagnosis of influenza viruses in veterinary Labs
Training in RT PCR for confirmation of Avian Influenza infection in poultry
Provision of reagents and supplies for RT PCR
Building capacity in Lab Quality Assurance and management

13. Interlaboratory Proficiency Testing
Best practice for laboratories
To show diagnostic competence of laboratory technicians
FAO has organized proficiency testing, for example, in the Caribbean in conjunction with the University of the West Indies, School of Veterinary Medicine.

14. Training in procedures for the packaging and shipping of samples to OIE Reference Labs according to IATA protocol

15. Provision of reagents and laboratory equipment
Provision of limited amounts of diagnostic equipment, reagents and consumables

16. Objective
The veterinary services and the veterinary laboratories in each country have the necessary skills and capacities to be able to rapidly diagnose Influenza outbreaks in animals, mainly in poultry and pigs.
To ensure rapid control and or eradication in the animal population
Limit spread among animals and between farms
Prevent zoonotic transmission to humans

17. CONCLUSION
Most countries in the Americas have benefitted from the technical support of the FAO in the diagnosis of influenza in animals
Training and capacity building of the veterinary services in strengthening veterinary lab capacity continues to be a focus of the FAO and its partners.

18. GRACIAS