VIENTIANE: Laos’ health emergency preparedness has continuously advanced through the five-year project on “Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness and Enhancing Response to Disease Out-breaks”, implemented jointly by the Lao Ministry of Health and the Korea Disease Control Agency (KDCA).
Since its launch in 2022, this initiative has been instrumental in bolstering Laos’ laboratory and epidemiological capacity to detect and respond to infectious diseases more effectively.
In line with the project’s objectives, the KDCA has been providing technical and material support to the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) to conduct whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the first time in Laos.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in strengthening laboratory capabilities, particularly for the serotyping of Salmonella spp., a major bacterial pathogen associated with food-borne illnesses and outbreaks.
To facilitate this groundbreaking effort, a comprehensive training session on WGS was con-ducted by the officers of KDCA at the NCLE during February 10-14. The training brought together laboratory scientists and epidemiologists, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to perform genomic sequencing and data analysis.
The introduction of WGS technology will not only enhance the accuracy of pathogen identification but also improve outbreak surveillance and response strategies in the Lao PDR.
Dr Bouaphane Khamphaphongphane, the Director of NCLE, emphasised the importance of this development, stating: “The ability to conduct whole genome sequencing for Salmonella serotyping is a major advancement for our national laboratory system. With the support of KDCA, we can now better track and respond to food-borne disease outbreaks, ultimately protecting public health.”
The KDCA remains committed to supporting Laos in strengthening its disease surveillance and response mechanisms. Through continued collaboration, this project aims to build a more resilient public health infrastructure, ensuring timely detection and control of emerging infectious diseases.
As the partnership between the Lao Ministry of Health and the KDCA progresses, the integration of cuttingedge technologies such as WGS will play a pivotal role in advancing disease prevention and control efforts in the country. - Vientiane Times/ANN
