The department of defense laboratory-based global influenza surveillance system

Linda C. Canas*, Kenton Lohman, Julie A. Pavlin, Timothy Endy, Dhrub L. Singh, Prativa Pandey, Mrigendra P. Shrestha, Robert Mc Nair Scott, Kevin L. Russell, Douglas Watts, Marta Hajdamowicz, Imelda Soriano, Richard W. Douce, James Neville, Joel C. Gaydos

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Military global influenza surveillance began in 1976 as an Air Force program. In 1997, the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System expanded the program to include all services. Also included were local residents in areas where DoD overseas research activities operated. This new, worldwide DoD surveillance infrastructure provides valuable information and can respond quickly to outbreaks. This was demonstrated during the current influenza season when a suspected outbreak was reported in Panama. In less than 3 weeks, specimens were collected, transported, and cultured, and isolates were subtyped and sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further studies. This influenza surveillance initiative combines viral isolation, antigenic characterization, and molecular sequencing with clinical and public health management of information. The information obtained is shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization and has contributed to important decisions in influenza vaccine composition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)52-56
Number of pages5
JournalMilitary Medicine
Volume165
Issue number7 SUPPL.
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2000
Externally publishedYes

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