title: Future directions for the European influenza reference laboratory network in influenza surveillance.
abstract: By defining strategic objectives for the network of influenza laboratories that have national influenza centre status or national function within European Union Member States, Iceland and Norway, it is possible to align their priorities in undertaking virological surveillance of influenza. This will help maintain and develop the network to meet and adapt to new challenges over the next 3-5 years and underpin a longer-term strategy over 5-10 years. We analysed the key activities undertaken by influenza reference laboratories in Europe and categorised them into a framework of four key strategic objectives areas: enhancing laboratory capability, ensuring laboratory capacity, providing emergency response and translating laboratory data into information for public health action. We make recommendations on the priority areas for future development.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England (PHE), London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rebelo-de-Andrade
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zambon
mesh_terms: D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000592:standards*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D011786:Quality Control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires