title: Preparedness for Zika virus testing in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region.
abstract: On 1 February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that clusters of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders occurring in Zika virus (ZIKV)-affected areas constituted a public health emergency of international concern. Increased surveillance of the virus, including the requirement for laboratory confirmation of infection, was recommended. The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific therefore initiated a rapid survey among national-level public health laboratories in 19 countries and areas to determine regional capacity for ZIKV detection. The survey indicated that 16/19 (84%) countries had capacity for molecular detection of ZIKV while others facilitated testing through referral. These results suggest that robust laboratory capacity is in place to support ZIKV surveillance in the Western Pacific Region.
authors.affiliation: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Raynal C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Squires
authors.affiliation: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Konings
mesh_terms: D002959:Civil Defense / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization / Q000458:organization & administration; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000276:immunology; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M