Azerbaijan: Avian flu highlights poor diagnostic capacity:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The health ministry of Azerbaijan has called on the World Health Organization to help it investigate a cluster of 11 suspected avian flu cases, including at least three deaths. The WHO's involvement has highlighted shortcomings in the country's diagnostic services and supplies. "The response of the health ministry has been prompt and efficient, but hampered by the lack of some essential equipment and supplies, and an inadequate diagnostic capacity. The WHO is this week sending a team of experts, laboratory equipment and diagnostic reagents to the country. In the meantime, samples of the cases reported to date have been sent to the WHO laboratory in the UK.