ESR’s work in establishing PulseNet Aotearoa New Zealand was recognised by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with an International Recognition Award.
The PulseNet USA network was established in 1996 and now involves the coordinated strain analysis of enteric bacteria by public health labs in all states of the USA. Laboratories use standardised pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to fingerprint strains of bacteria, which are compared using a centralized database system.
This system has proven invaluable in the identification, tracing and prevention of food and waterborne disease outbreaks.
The success of PulseNet USA, and increasing recognition of the mobile nature of infectious disease internationally, has prompted countries in Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific to establish similar and compatible networks in each region using PulseNet methodology.
With support from the Ministry of Health, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, DairyInsight and the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, ESR has established PulseNet Aotearoa New Zealand.
Key steps achieved to date include:
- Establishment of PulseNet methodology for PFGE analysis of isolates of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shiga-like toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Listeria spp.
- Completion of certification with PulseNet USA.
- Establishment of customised client databases for each organism.
- Establishment of National databases for each organism.
- A training course for 29 New Zealand participants was held in Palmerston North in November 2004.
- Participation in meeting to create PulseNet Asia Pacific. Current participants are Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, The Philippines, The People’s Republic of China, New Zealand, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and Australia.
More information on PulseNet Aotearoa:
Content of the PulseNet Aotearoa New Zealand database
Information on the PulseNet USA network (this link will open in a new window)
ESR surveillance website (this link will open in a new window)
International Recognition Award from the CDC