A FREE web cast sponsored by National Laboratory Training Network - this important one hour program is available 24/7

Description:
In response to an expanding outbreak in the United States and internationally caused by a novel influenza virus, the United States Government has declared a public health emergency in the United States. This program will help clinical laboratorians address the challenges posed by this emergency by providing an overview of Influenza A H1N1 (swine-like) epidemiology, clinical presentation, CDC guidelines for specimen collection, processing and testing, referral information, laboratory safety, and packaging and shipping. The usefulness of tests used by clinical laboratories for the diagnosis of influenza such as rapid antigen and immunofluorescence will be discussed.

Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, the participants will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, signs and symptoms of Influenza A H1N1 (swine-like) including the similarities and differences with seasonal H1N1.



• Explain how to collect, process, refer, package and ship specimens from patients suspected to have Influenza A H1N1 (swine-like).



• Discuss the usefulness of the tests available to clinical laboratories, including rapid tests, virus culture or immunofluorescence, and performance of commercially available PCR tests.



• Describe CDC's biosafety guidelines for working with Influenza A H1N1 (swine-like), including biosafety for rapid testing.

Faculty:
Danny L. Wiedbrauk, Ph.D.
Scientific Director, Virology & Molecular Biology
Warde Medical Laboratory
Ann Arbor, MI

Audience:
This intermediate-level program is appropriate for clinical and reference laboratory personnel.

Continuing Education Credit:
Continuing education credit is not available for this program. Participants will be able to access a certificate of attendance.

Registration:
There is no fee for this program.

1) Select a Site Facilitator who can receive all communication via email.

2) Site Facilitator must register online at www.nltn.org/206-09.htm

If you have difficulty with the online registration process, please email registrar@aphl.org or call 240.485.2727 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET. After your facility's registration is confirmed the site facilitator will receive all necessary instructions and paperwork via email to access the web conference at your convenience.

For program content information, please email teleconference@aphl.org.

The National Laboratory Training Network is a training system sponsored by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).