NAMRU Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet: NAMRU-2 Provides Services Benefiting Indonesia November 20, 2006 The United States and Indonesia have conducted important medical research since 1970. The Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-2), one of very few such units around the world, and its partner institution, the Indonesian National Institute of Health Research and Development (LITBANGKES) under the Indonesian Ministry of Health (DEPKES), have worked on malaria, Avian Influenza and other infectious diseases. We look forward to continuing this cooperation by putting NAMRU-2’s presence in Jakarta on a more permanent basis. The following are some of the services that NAMRU-2 provides to Indonesia: • NAMRU-2 provides surveillance and training to Indonesian medical personnel in flu surveillance; laboratory analyses of Avian Influenza samples; training of research and laboratory personnel in laboratory techniques, including malaria microscopy, molecular biology and immunobiology, and consultations on the safe handling of infectious agents. Training includes visits to the United States and regular participation of Indonesian scientists in NAMRU-2 field studies. • Activities on flu surveillance and training include a five-day training workshop on Avian Influenza in August, 2006 on managing avian influenza cluster outbreaks, laboratory diagnosis, investigative techniques and sample collection for influenza. Similarly, personnel from NAMRU-2’s Viral Diseases Program trained LITBANGKES laboratory staff in 2005 in laboratory diagnosis of AI. NAMRU has supplied specialized reagents necessary to conduct the tests and, via USAID, has given LITBANGKES about $100,000 in laboratory equipment. • NAMRU-2 analyzes about 700 influenza samples a month from 30 sites across Indonesia, and about 100 samples a month strictly for avian influenza. NAMRU-2 has tested every human AI case in Indonesia since human cases first appeared, and works closely with the Ministry of Health on this problem. NAMRU-2 also has two collection sites for surveillance and collection of migratory bird cases, soon to expand to five sites. NAMRU-2 bears the cost for all these activities. • NAMRU-2 invited an expert from NAMRU-3 in Cairo, Egypt to advise LITBANGKES on design and construction of a planned laboratory for the research and analysis of dangerous pathogens. Public Affairs Section