2014.ISDS.Abstracts.Final.pdf


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ISDS 2014 Conference Abstracts

Leveraging the Laboratory Response Network: A Step 
Toward Implementing IHR (2005)

Tyler Wolford*, Christopher Chadwick and Chris Mangal

Public Health Preparedness and Response, Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD, USA

Objective
To promote the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) as a 

model that supports global health initiatives, strengthens worldwide 
laboratory systems, and advances international partnerships to prepare 
for and respond to infectious disease threats.

Introduction
In 1969, the Twenty-Second World Health Assembly revised 

and consolidated the International Sanitary Regulations into what 
is known today as the International Health Regulations (IHR). The 
IHR promote a global collaboration to prepare for, respond to, and 
prevent the spread of infectious disease and other public health 
threats. In 2005, the IHR was once again reviewed and expanded to 
address the increasing threat of emerging infectious disease due to 
globalization and urbanization. 195 State Parties agreed to adopt and 
implement IHR (2005); however, as of May 2013, over 100 of these 
States still had not yet met the eight core capacities outlined in the 
IHR (2005). In February 2014, the Obama administration launched 
the Global Health Security Agenda with the aim of moving toward 
a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats. The Global 
Health Security Agenda offers a path forward to support countries in 
achieving the core capacities of the IHR. APHL proposes leveraging 
the distributed structure of the US managed Laboratory Response 
Network for Biological Threats Preparedness (LRN-B) to develop 
the core capacity of laboratory testing and to fulfill the laboratory 
strengthening component of the Global Health Security Agenda. The 
LRN supports five of the eight core capacities and could serve as 
a model for State Parties lacking resources and an implementation 
plan. The LRN, founded in 1999 by Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), is a 
specialized network of laboratories that are capable of an all-hazard 
response to a variety public health threats. Leveraging LRN assets 
internationally would provide a standardized approach toward IHR 
(2005) implementation and ensure a global collaboration to defend 
against public health threats.

Methods
We performed a literature review to determine if the mission, 

vision, infrastructure, and success of the LRN was a biosafety and 
biosecurity asset for implementation of IHR (2005) in struggling 
regions.

Results
The vision of the LRN for preparedness and response to biological, 

chemical, radiological and other public health threats aligns with 
the objectives outlined in the IHR (2005) and supports five of the 
eight core requirements. Although a plan will need to be further 
developed in order the meet the remaining three core capacities, the 
LRN model will provide a strong base for building an implementation 
plan that supports an all-hazards response to public health threats 
internationally.

Conclusions
Implementation of the IHR (2005) is a complex process, especially 

for State Parties lacking adequate resources and management. The 
infrastructure of the LRN can be leveraged to assist with meeting 
the core capacities outlined in the regulations. The LRN model will 
ensure a standardized approach towards implementation, promote 
international communication, and provide a link for a connected 
global response to infectious disease.

Keywords
Laboratory Response Network; International Health Regulations; 
LRN; Global Health Security Agenda

References

1. World Health Organization, World Health Assembly. International
Health Regulations (2005). 2nd ed. Geneva: The Organization; 2008.

2. GlobalHealth.Gov. [Internet] Washington, DC: Global Health
Security Agenda: Toward a World Safe & Secure from Infectious
Disease Threats. [cited 2014 August 1] Available from: http://
www.globalhealth.gov/global-health-topics/global-health-security/
ghsagenda.html.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta, GA: The 
Laboratory Response Network Partners in Preparedness. May 2013
[cited 2014 August 1] Available from: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/lrn/.

*Tyler Wolford

E-mail: tyler.wolford@aphl.org    

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics * ISSN 1947-2579 * http://ojphi.org * (1):e175, 201