World Bank (WB) Project “Avian influenza control and human influenza pandemic preparedness and response” has initiated in April 2009 the establishment of virological laboratories in Darkhan-Uul and Orkhon aimaks. The sites were selected due to their rapidly increasing population and becoming major center for cross-country transportation routes which in turn increasing risks of influenza spread and its health and economic consequences. After the purchase of the advanced technology equipment (real-time PCR and other associated devices) and needed reagents it has been started since October 2009 the constructions of BSL 2 laboratory rooms in the General Hospital (GH), Darkhan-Uul aimak and in the Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center (RDTC), Orkhon aimak by local Governments under supervision of specialists from NCCD and the on-site specialized trainings of the selected manpower in NIC, NCCD. Since beginning of 2010 the equipment has been installed in the prepared laboratory rooms in Darkhan and Erdenet Cities and since March 2010 the laboratories test running has started. In the mean time the new pilot laboratories have tested around 100 clinical samples each and the concordance rate of specific influenza viral nucleic acids detection was 97-100% when it re-tested in the Virology Laboratory, NIC, NCCD. So, the Direction of WB Project has decided it is now the time to hand over the laboratory to the local Governments. The PCR machine provided is able to detect not only the influenza viruses, also the specific nucleic acids from different viral and bacterial agents provided with diagnostic kits which opens a good perspective of rapid diagnostic supports to clinicians and epidemiologists dealing with different infectious disease outbreak control and management measures.

On April 8-9, 2010 the official opening ceremonies of the new laboratories took place in Darkhan and Erdenet Cities. During the ceremonies Dr D.Nyamkhuu, MD, PhD, Director-Geberal, NCCD and Director, NIC, Mongolia has handed over the Diplomas of Virologists to Drs (Mrs) B.Byamba-erdene,MD (Darkhan-Uul) and E.Erdenejargal,MD (Orkhon) and laboratory assistants Mr P.Erdene-ochir (Darlhan-Uul) and Ms T.Munkhzul (Orkhon) graduated from the 6-months on-site training course at NCCD.

Prof.P.Nymadawa, MD, PhD, DSc(Med), Director, US/Mongolia Joint Project “Developing Sustainable Influenza Surveillance Network” has transferred the first part of the influenza virus specific nucleic acid detection kits supplied by the Project and promised to continue this kind of support for the next 4 years. He, as the President, Mongolian Society of Virology has presented also a personal gift to the new virologists: his 11-volumes set “Collection of Selected Works”, of which 6 volumes were dedicated to different virological problems.

Local Government officials and heads of Health departments have expressed their thanks to the projects for selection of the most populous aimaks for the establishment of the first virology laboratories in aimaks and promised to support the laboratories full utilization in the sake of people of Darkhan-Uul and Orkhon aimaks.

Figure 1. The opening ceremony of the Vvirology Laboratory in GH, Darkhan-Uul aimak. From the right: Prof. P.Nymadawa, Director, US/Mongolia Joint Project “Developing Sustainable Influenza Surveillance Network”, Mr N.Batsukh, Vice Governor, Darkhan-Uul aimak, Mr Sh.Lahagvasuren, Chief, Emergency Management Department, Darkhan-Uul aimak, Dr E.Enkhjargal, MD, Head, Department of Health, Darkhan-Uul aimak

Figure 2. Dr D.Nyamkhuu, MD, PhD, Director-General, NCCD is handing over Diplomas of Virologist to Dr B.Byamba-erdene and Mr P.Erdene-ochir from the Virology Laboratory, GH, Darkhan-Uul aimak

Figure 3. The guests are visiting the Virology Laboratory, GH, Darkhan-Uul aimak

Figure 4. The opening ceremony of the Virology Laboratory, RDTC, Orkhan aimak. From the left: Prof. P.Nymadawa, Dr B.Bayasgalan, Deputy Head, Department of Health, Orkhon aimak, Dr D.Nyamkhuu, Dr. M.Battuvshin, Director, RDTC, Orkhon aimak

Figure 5. . Prof. P.Nymadawa is transferring to Dr E.Erdenejargal, Head, Virology Laboratory, RDTC, Orkhon aimak, the influenza diagnostic kits supplied through US/Mongolia Joint Project “Developing Sustainable Influenza Surveillance network”