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\nA Laos Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) trainee examines equipment during an outbreak investigation. Photo by Billy Weeks/TEPHINET
\nThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked with partners in Laos since 2006. CDC works with the Lao Ministry of Health (MOH) to address HIV and influenza and strengthen laboratory systems, surveillance, and workforce capacities to respond to disease outbreaks.
\nLaos FETP trainee spraying pesticides to control insects. Photo by Billy Weeks/TEPHINET
\nCDC\u2019s global health security efforts help bolster Laos\u2019 ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks before they become global epidemics. CDC works with local, regional, and global organizations to support emergency response, surveillance, laboratory systems, and workforce development. These efforts aim to help the country reach the goals outlined in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).
\nField Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
In Laos, CDC provides technical support to strengthen epidemiology capacity through the FETP. The Lao FETP is a one-year program that trains disease detectives to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. It is organized into three modules, each consisting of one month of practical classroom instruction and three months of field work. The Lao FETP was established in 2009 with support from WHO and CDC and has a national network of over 100 graduates.
Border Health
CDC partners with the Lao MOH to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases among travelers and mobile populations who cross international borders. The team supports the development of a quarantine health program at key international Points of Entry (POEs) like airports and land crossings on the border.
Emergency Response
The COVID-19 response has been a hallmark example of how CDC\u2019s partnership with the MOH is key to building a successful response to a global pandemic. In partnership with multilateral and non-governmental partners, CDC:
CDC biosafety experts supported a training program for biosafety cabinet certification. 4 of the 10 trainees became internationally certified biosafety cabinet certifiers
\nCDC\u2019s One Health Program conducts monthly avian influenza surveillance in poultry in 6 high-risk provinces. This surveillance has helped detect infections in poultry and wild birds due to avian influenza subtypes H5N1, H5N6, and H9N2
\nThe CDC-supported Lao FETP received global recognition for its contributions to a successful response to a vaccine-derived polio outbreak in 2014-15. The program supported the Lao MOH with the outbreak investigation, set up surveillance and control systems, and provided polio vaccine and health education in rural communities across the country
\nCDC partnered with the Lao MOH to revise communicable disease regulations and tabletop exercises of cross-border COVID-19 scenarios. These activities focused on assessing preparedness and response mechanisms for public health emergencies, improving communication and coordination, and increasing capacities of health workers at POEs
\nEnhanced public health emergency control and response at POEs resulted in emergency response plans, which lay the groundwork for successful responses in the future. In designated regions, Laos now has active emergency response plans for malaria and pandemic influenza
\nLaboratory technicians participate in CDC-supported trainings to increase their skills in performing external quality assessments.
\nThrough the U.S. President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC supports life-saving activities for people living with HIV in Laos. CDC partners with the MOH and the WHO in five provinces with high HIV burdens\u2014 Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, Luangprabang, Luangnamtha, and Champasak. CDC offers scientific and technical expertise to strengthen the health workforce\u2019s abilities to improve data quality and analyze HIV program data, which helps provide the evidence base for the integration of new interventions and systems into national HIV guidelines. CDC\u2019s goal is to promote and demonstrate sustainable epidemic-control strategies that can be replicated, integrated, and scaled-up into existing health systems by the Laos government.
\nCDC\u2019s PEPFAR-funded initiatives focus on key populations including, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and people living in areas with high disease, disability, and death related to HIV. CDC supports projects that promote early diagnosis of HIV, high quality HIV testing and diagnosis, strengthened and rapid treatment initiation, and sustained viral suppression. CDC also promotes the establishment of\u2014 and adherence to\u2014 quality improvement standards for HIV care, treatment, and laboratory services, and enhanced disease surveillance and monitoring systems.
\nKey CDC activities include:
\nSince 2018, Laos has used domestic funds to support HIV counseling and testing programs for pregnant women nationwide. These programs resulted from a pilot project CDC supported from 2014-16 to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV
\nCDC supported the development of the first electronic application for viral load test ordering and reporting, which helps improve viral load testing and monitoring in Laos. Within one year, this work increased viral load testing coverage from 67% to 88%. The turnaround time for viral load testing and reporting of results decreased from 29 to 3 days
\nCDC supported the first National Monitoring & Evaluation Reporting System to monitor and report on HIV testing, PMTCT, and AIDS cases reported through passive surveillance
\nCDC provided technical support to establish the national External Quality Assessment of HIV-related laboratory testing, such as HIV serology, viral load, and recency
\nCDC-supported health workers take samples from a rooster and other birds as part of an avian influenza surveillance project.
\nWith CDC\u2019s support, Laos became a global leader for influenza vaccine uptake among lower middle-income countries. Laos is the first lower-middle income country to have built the evidence and policy base to move from administering donated influenza vaccines to national procurement and delivery of the vaccine. The country is set up to regularly report and rapidly respond to outbreaks of avian influenza using both human and animal health sectors.
\nCDC\u2019s Influenza Program objectives in Laos include:
\nWith CDC support, Laos has enhanced surveillance to detect and monitor threats from novel influenza A subtypes and other emerging respiratory pathogens
\nCDC helped evaluate state-of-the-art devices that detect influenza during site visits and help facilitate rapid response
\nIn 2019, CDC supported national rapid response trainings and cross-border exercises on responding to influenza viruses with pandemic potential
\nSources: Population Reference Bureau 2022, Laos
\nSource: GBD Compare 2019, Laos
\nU.S. Embassy in Laos (usembassy.gov)
\nLaos | Travelers\u2019 Health | CDC
\nGlobal HIV & TB Laos country profile | CDC
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