Perspective Capacity Building in Response to Pandemic Influenza Threats: Lao PDR Case Study

Abstract. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) committed to pandemic detection and response prepara-tions when faced with the threat of avian influenza. Since 2006, the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology of Lao PDR has developed credible laboratory, surveillance, and epidemiological (human) capacity and as a result was designated a World Health Organization National Influenza Center in 2010. The Lao PDR experience in building influenza capacities provides a case study of the considerable crossover effect of such investments to augment the capacity to combat emerging and re-emerging diseases other than influenza. BACKGROUND The pandemic potential of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and in particular avian influenza virus subtype H5N1,1 provided the backdrop to an unprecedented global invest-ment in critical preparedness capacities worldwide to combat this emerging disease threat. In Southeast Asia, considerable differences within and between countries existed in laboratory, surveillance, and out-break response capacities when H5N1 made its regiona