Enhancing Turkmenistan’s Virological Surveillance and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: WHO Initiative in the Orient
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Turkmenistan recently facilitated a technical advisory mission to strengthen virological surveillance of influenza and acute respiratory infections in the country. From March 25 to April 4, 2025, WHO/Europe experts conducted a specialized 10-day training course on the characteristics of isolation and antigenic characteristics of influenza viruses.
Dr. Darya Danilenko, an expert from WHO/Europe, led the training course at the Virological Reference Laboratory of the Center for Public Health and Nutrition under the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. The main goal of the training was to enhance the capacity of virologists at the National Influenza Center to improve virological diagnostics and laboratory procedures for effective disease control and monitoring.
Participants gained theoretical knowledge and practical skills in working with cell cultures, including cultivation, preservation, and infection. They also learned methodologies for isolating and antigenically characterizing influenza viruses in line with WHO recommendations. This training is expected to improve influenza surveillance systems in Turkmenistan, leading to timely and accurate detection of viral infections.
The technical advisory mission was part of the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP) project in Turkmenistan. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to advancing public health and aligns with WHO’s efforts to strengthen health systems in the European Region.
Overall, this collaboration between WHO and Turkmenistan demonstrates a shared dedication to improving virological surveillance and disease control, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes in the region.
– ORIENT News
Photo: WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan
