The Department of Medical Microbiology PGIMER is holding a WHO supported workshop, Laboratory training on communicable diseases of outbreak potential from 27th July to 1st August 2009 with aim to train the Microbiologists/Pathologists and technicians of District Public health Laboratories of Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand to strengthen their capability to diagnose communicable diseases and outbreak potential.
Infectious diseases continue to be a major contributor of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The problem is further compounded by the newly emerging and reemerging infectious pathogens in addition to increasing number of outbreaks. Disease surveillance has long been recognized as an important tool for measuring the disease burden, studying morbidity & mortality trends and early detection of outbreaks for instituting effective control measure in a timely fashion. Rapid detection of epidemics or outbreaks through an efficient and viable surveillance system can facilitate rapid response towards containment. The need of the day is to develop efficient national infrastructure for surveillance system and strengthen district health laboratories. The training will include laboratory diagnosis of common diseases like acute gastroenteritis , cholera, typhoid , dengue etc. About 25 participants will be attending this hands on workshop.