H1N1 and remote locations

The scenario in remote and underserved locations in Canada regarding specific diagnosis and antiviral therapeutic response 1 seems to mimic the picture in developing countries. Even the largest cities do not have facilities for a specific and accurate diagnosis of pandemic H1N1(2009) influenza infection. Molecular or cell culture studies would never be a reality. A specific diagnosis should be feasible through rapid, simple, 1–2 step assays that could be carried out in physicians’ surgeries and in the field. Certainly “contact persons” in remote and underserved areas in Canada should be able to carry out such tests using nasopharyngeal secretions. Funds should be directed toward standardization of such test kits to allow an accurate diagnosis of H1N1. Such kits will be of immense value in Canada; they would be the only test for billions in developing countries.