Challenges and Strategies of Laboratory Diagnosis for Newly Emerging Influenza Viruses in Taiwan: A Decade after SARS.
Since the first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan was identified in March 2003, viral respiratory infections, in particular the influenza virus, have become a national public health concern. Taiwan would face a serious threat of public health problems if another SARS epidemic overlapped with a flu outbreak. After SARS, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control accelerated and strengthened domestic research on influenza and expanded the exchange of information with international counterparts. The capacity of influenza A to cross species barriers presents a potential threat to human health. Given the mutations of avian flu viruses such as H7N9, H6N1, and H10N8, all countries, including Taiwan, must equip themselves to face a possible epidemic or pandemic. Such preparedness requires global collaboration.
National Influenza Center, Centers for Disease Control, No. 161, Kung-Yang Street, Taipei 11513, Taiwan.
Jih-Hui
JH
Lin
National Influenza Center, Centers for Disease Control, No. 161, Kung-Yang Street, Taipei 11513, Taiwan ; School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 11065, Taiwan.
Ho-Sheng
HS
Wu
D000818:Animals; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history; D009154:Mutation; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology