WHO Collaborating Centre Network
Many of the internationally important outbreaks involve the diverse group of arboviral diseases and viral haemorrhagic fevers. The WHO Collaborating Centres global network of centres for these diseases has collaborating centres in every WHO region and about one third of the centres are in developing countries. These centres work in close partnership with WHO and Member States to investigate, confirm and control outbreaks. Through the WHO Collaborating Centre searchable database, information about those centres and laboratories dealing specifically with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is available.
In an outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Kosovo in June 2001, the laboratory confirmation for cases was performed at the collaborating centre in Slovenia. As part of the WHO Collaborating Centre network, these laboratories and teams were able to exchange results and share data to effectively contain the outbreak.
In the past two years, there has been increase recognition of the disease in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. WHO has been working with its partners, Institut Pasteur, Dakar, Senegal and The National Institute for Virology, South Africa to provide epidemiological and laboratory support as well as training.