Are We There Yet? Laboratory Preparedness for Emerging Infectious Diseases

• Authors: Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Washington University; Jennie H. Kwon, Washington University; Eileen Burd, Emory University; Sheldon Campbell, Yale University; Peter C. Iwen, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Melissa B. Miller, University of North Carolina
• Journal Title: Clinical Chemistry
• Volume: Volume 63, Number 4
• Publisher: Oxford University Press | 2017-04-01, Pages 807-811
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2016.265850
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Immunology; Health Sciences, Pathology; Biology, Microbiology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Medical Laboratory Technology

Abstract

The West African Ebola virus epidemic of 2013–2016 was the most widespread epidemic of this disease in history; it is estimated that this occurrence contributed to more than 11000 deaths. During the epidemic, healthcare workers (HCW)8 (including laboratorians) were mobilized to care for individuals with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD). However, at the height of the epidemic, guidance on appropriate safety measures for laboratory workers manipulating specimens from EVD patients was sparse. This highlighted the need for data and guidelines for laboratories testing specimens not only for patients with EVD, but for any emerging infectious disease. During the Ebola epidemic, questions were raised about the roles and responsibilities of laboratories in responding to highly infectious diseases, and the burden of ongoing readiness for rare events. As the outbreak decelerates, laboratorians must regroup, gather data, and prepare for future outbreaks. We have asked 4 experts in this field to share their thoughts on contemporary challenges in laboratory preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.