Lessons from the NSW laboratory response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza
Sheena Adamson A D , Jan Fizzell A , Dominic E. Dwyer B , William Rawlinson C and Paul K. Armstrong AA Biopreparedness Unit, NSW Department of Health
B Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital
C South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital
D Corresponding author. Email: sheena.adamson@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
NSW Public Health Bulletin 21(2) 36-38 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB09041
Published: 8 April 2010
Abstract
Procedures undertaken by NSW Health in the laboratory response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza were reviewed to assist planning for a future infectious disease emergency. Laboratory plans developed prior to the pandemic sought rapid detection of pandemic virus in the early phases of the pandemic response until demonstration of widespread community transmission, followed then by limited testing when indicated clinically. As planned, the laboratory response was based on the Pandemic Influenza Management System with a web-based outbreak management tool, NetEpi, as the single public health database used for cases and test results. This was found to be effective for tracking specimens and results, and enhanced the public health response. The sustained large volume of community testing during this mild pandemic had an adverse effect on the timely delivery of priority results.
Acknowledgments
The enormous effort of the staff in the participating public health laboratories (Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, South Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Sydney South West Pathology Service, Pacific Laboratory Medicine Services, St Vincent’s Hospital Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Microbiology, Hunter Area Pathology Service, Nepean and Blue Mountains Pathology Service) in the laboratory response to the influenza pandemic is recognised. The contribution by the private pathology services, the NSW area health service public health units, the NSW Biopreparedness Network, and the NSW Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, is also gratefully acknowledged.
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