Introduction LabNet was inaugurated at a meeting in Noumea, New Caledonia, in April 2000. It is a three-level network of laboratories (L1, L2 and L3), where ‘level’ refers not to the capacity of the lab but to its role in the network. - L1 labs are the labs of the PPHSN member countries and territories. This level is the closest to patients and clinicians facing an outbreak alert. L1 labs collect samples from patients in suspect cases and when possible use screening tests. They should have ready access to L2 or L3 lab confirmation services for selected diseases.
- L2 regional labs perform the first level of confirmation testing for some L1 labs. The techniques they employ require more training and equipment than those used at L1 labs. They are further supported by L3 labs. L2 regional labs also serve as L1 labs for those countries or territories in which they are located.
L3 labs are reference laboratories. They are usually internationally recognised labs (e.g. WHO-associated centres) located in the Pacific rim countries (mainly Australia, New Zealand and USA). In addition to the L2 disease-specific role, they usually perform more sophisticated, less urgently needed tests, providing important epidemiological information for the region or in the context of the worldwide surveillance of major diseases (such as dengue virus genotyping, influenza subtyping or Leptospira serogrouping).
| Highlights WD # 4 Referral of biological samples in the PacificC PPHSN LABNET Reference laboratory PPHSN LabNet reference Laboratories 
Recent articles published in Inform'ACTION:
 Developing sustainable influenza surveillance networks in the Pacific
Influenza diagnosis - from rapid testing to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the Pacific Sensitivity and specificity of rapid diagnostic tests and immunofluorescence assay for influenza
Assessment of NS1 antigen detection tests during DEN-4 epidemic in French Polynesia |
