2 December 2018 – A subregional training course on advanced influenza diagnostics using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out in Oman from 28 October to 1 November 2018. The training was organized by WHO and in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Influenza Centre (NIC) in Oman. It aimed to strengthen capacities for influenza diagnosis and surveillance in the Region, focusing on the use of the RT-PCR  technique for diagnosis and detection of influenza viruses.

Senior laboratory technicians from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, occupied Palistinian territory and Qatar participated in the training, along with the Omani participants.