Guidance for the timely sharing of influenza viruses/specimens with potential to cause human influenza pandemics

March 2005

Objective

The objective of timely sharing of influenza viruses/specimens with potential for causing an influenza pandemic is to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic by:

• All viruses that could not be typed/subtyped by the most recently updated WHO diagnostic reagents;
• All viruses from human cases infected by animal influenza and selected viruses from animals in areas affected by animal influenza outbreaks; and
• Newly isolated animal influenza viruses with a record of causing human infection and disease.

Selection and shipment of viruses/specimens

Viruses/specimens should be shipped to WHO Reference laboratories as a matter of urgency. Shipping should comply with relevant guidelines for the safe transport of infectious substances and diagnostic specimens. Clinical and epidemiological background information on cases should be provided.

• All viruses that could not be typed/subtyped by the most recently updated WHO diagnostic reagents;
• All viruses from human cases infected by animal influenza and selected viruses from animals in areas affected by animal influenza outbreaks; and
• Newly isolated animal influenza viruses with a record of causing human infection and disease.

Principles for sharing influenza viruses/specimens with the WHO Global Influenza Programme

• The designated WHO Reference Laboratories will immediately report results of analyses of viruses/specimens to the originating laboratory and to the WHO Global Influenza Programme.
• The WHO Global Influenza Programme will use the information from the analysis of viruses/specimens to select pandemic vaccine strains, to develop/update WHO diagnostic reagents and to address other global public health needs.
• The designated WHO Reference Laboratories will seek permission from the originating country/laboratory to co-author and/or publish results obtained from the analyses of relevant viruses/samples.
• There will be no further distribution of viruses/specimens outside the network of WHO Reference Laboratories without permission from the originating country/laboratory.