Resources

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza are occurring in domestic fowl in many countries, posing a considerable human public health risk. The guidelines outlined in this report are the first attempt to provide comprehensive recommendations to help Georgian health workers promptly identify, report, confirm, and classify potential cases of avian influenza in humans; analyze data; investigate and respond to cases and outbreaks; and improve other aspects of an early warning system for humans. They are most appropriate for the current stage of pandemic preparedness (phases 3 to 4 of the World Health Organization [WHO] Pandemic Alert Period) and designed primarily for health personnel working at rayon and regional public health centers. In addition to general recommendations for the human avian influenza surveillance system as a whole, the guidelines include specific sections devoted to communication with the public as well as infection control in health facilities.

This document shares data from Guinea-Bissau that provide validation of the retinol-binding protein enzyme immunoassay (RBP-EIA) test from serum samples, while also providing initial data on the feasibility of using dried blood samples as a specimen type for the assessment of vitamin A deficiency in the field.

This document provides evidence from a study in Zimbabwe that demonstrates the correspondence between serum retinol and retionol-binding protein in estimating the prevalence of and screening for vitamin A deficiency.

This document summarizes available evidence for the validation and establishment of a rapid, field-based tool for the assessment of vitamin A deficiency using the retinol-binding protein immunoassay (RBP-EIA) test.

This document assesses the correspondence between retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP), as well as the stability of RBP subjected to varying temperature conditions over time, the effect of light, and the feasibility of using dried blood spots. The assessment is part of a larger project examining the use of the RBP enzyme immunoassay (RBP-EIA) to test for vitamin A deficiency.