Authors' results and conclusions: An outbreak of H5N1 influenza in Australia remains a possibility. In the occurrence of an outbreak, the control and treatment of the disease will require a multi-faceted approach. In addition to vaccines and antiviral drugs, rapid methods for disease diagnosis could offer a number of benefits including improved disease surveillance and management of patients. On current evidence, the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) primer and probe set appears to be a relatively accurate and cheap option for the rapid diagnosis of H5N1 influenza. At a time however when worldwide interest in avian influenza is high and cases of the disease have yet to appear in Australia, it may be prudent to monitor such methods of rapid disease diagnosis during further outbreaks overseas.

Authors' recommendations: Technologies relating to the surveillance and treatment of avian influenza are currently managed by the Office of Health Protection. It is likely this group would have identified this technology and any further avian influenza diagnostic tests. It is therefore recommended that the technology be archived.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2006

URL for published report: Not Available

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617

Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Copyright: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)