PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Funded Diagnostics Laboratory
Improves Avian Influenza Detection and Prevention

Date: February 13, 2009
Venue: Abuja

Ambassador Sanders commissions Birdflu detection and prevention Lab with Health Minister Dr. Oshotimehin. | Full size

U.S. Ambassador Robin R. Sanders and Minister of Health Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin today (February 13, 2009) jointly commissioned a state-of-the-art avian influenza diagnostic laboratory located in Asokoro district hospital Abuja.  Speaking to the importance to Nigeria of this U.S. Government funded laboratory, Ambassador Sanders said the avian influenza diagnostic laboratory will strengthen Nigeria's avian influenza surveillance system by providing prompt, accurate analysis of suspected AI infections in both poultry and humans.  The people and government of the United States are committed to partnering with the government of Nigeria in protecting the health of Nigerians, she added.

The newly built, USG funded laboratory is fully equipped with the latest PCR machines in order to strengthen the country’s diagnostic capacity and better prepare it to defend against the global threat of an influenza pandemic.  The Avian Flu laboratory is where the only human case of avian influenza in Nigeria was identified. 

Currently the laboratory is being co-managed by the CDC and FMOH and has trained many Nigerian laboratory scientists in highly specialized techniques for viral molecular diagnosis. The avian influenza laboratory is the only facility in Nigeria that has the capacity to diagnose H5N1 avian influenza and is going through WHO process for certification as a National Influenza Center (NIC) to add to the 12 NICs in Africa and the 121 NICs in the world today.

The US Mission in Nigeria, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will continue to provide technical support in the operation of the laboratory and, to avian and pandemic influenza preparedness and response. This USG support is one of many ways in which the U.S. Mission is investing in people as part of our Framework for Partnership with Nigeria.