Volume 18, Number 7—July 2012
Perspective
International Health Regulations—What Gets Measured Gets Done
Kashef Ijaz
, Eric Kasowski, Ray R. Arthur, Frederick J. Angulo, and Scott F. Dowell
, Eric Kasowski, Ray R. Arthur, Frederick J. Angulo, and Scott F. DowellTable 2
Core laboratory tests and indicator pathogens in the International Health Regulations
| Core test | Indicator pathogen | Turnaround time from receipt in the laboratory |
|---|---|---|
| PCR | Influenza virus* | Within 24 h |
| Virus culture | Poliovirus* | Within 14 d |
| Serology | HIV† | Within 5 d |
| Microscopy | Mycobacterium tuberculosis† | Within 3 d |
| Rapid diagnostic test | Plasmodium spp.† | Within 2 h |
| Bacterial culture | Salmonella enteritidis serotype Typhi‡ | Within 3 d |
| Local priority test | Local priority test§ | Local priority test |
| Local priority test | Local priority test§ | Local priority test |
| Local priority test | Local priority test§ | Local priority test |
| Local priority test | Local priority test§ | Local priority test |
*Selected from the International Health Regulations immediately notifiable list.
†Selected from WHO Top Ten Causes of Death in low-income countries (www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/index.html).
‡Selected from WHO Global Foodborne Infections Network (9).
§Indicator pathogens selected by the country on the basis of major national public health concern.
