Reliable testing, reliable decisions
Reliable laboratory testing is central to pandemic preparedness. It allows countries to detect influenza and other priority respiratory viruses early; report results consistently and share quality data that guide timely public health action.
With support from the World Health Organization in Ukraine under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution (PC), Ukraine implemented its first unified domestic external quality assessment programme for influenza and other respiratory virus testing. The programme was delivered through Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) and complemented the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) EQA by extending quality assurance and standardization to the regional laboratory network. The assessment included 24 laboratories: the virology laboratories of regional centres for disease control and prevention and the virology laboratory of the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which functions as the National Influenza Centre and provides national coordination for influenza laboratory surveillance.
The EQA panel included influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, a negative control and a mixed SARS-CoV-2 plus influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 sample. Ukraine’s EQA results were compared with an international dataset from the same scheme, covering 153 laboratories in 28 countries and 202 datasets.
Testing systems under pressure
The results demonstrated technical capacity and operational resilience. Testing and reporting took place in late December 2025 and early January 2026, during a period of missile attacks, electricity disruption and difficult logistics. Despite these challenges, all participating laboratories submitted results on time.
Twenty-one of 24 laboratories achieved full concordance across the panel. Six of ten analytical viral targets reached 100% accuracy, and no false positives were reported for the negative control. RSV performance was particularly strong: Ukrainian laboratories achieved 100% accuracy for RSV A and 92% for RSV B, above the international averages of 84.2% and 83.2%, respectively.
From assessment to action
The assessment also identified targeted areas for improvement. The most challenging component was the mixed SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 sample, where Ukraine’s performance was 88%, close to the international benchmark of 88.6%. This result points to a broader need to further strengthen co-infection detection and dual-pathogen reporting.
The value of the exercise goes beyond a single score. It provides evidence that PIP PC-supported investments in training of laboratory personnel, quality assurance and laboratory coordination are translating into verified national capacity which is fundamental to responding to future outbreaks and pandemics. The assessment findings will provide the basis for targeted refresher training of laboratory personnel and updates to standard operating procedures. They will further inform the planning for the next domestic EQA cycle, ensuring that future workflows cover the full agreed EQA panel of target viral analytes.
By linking national laboratory capacity with international benchmarking, Ukraine’s experience shows how laboratory quality assurance can strengthen influenza surveillance, support the integration of RSV into sentinel surveillance, and contribute to pandemic preparedness, even under emergency conditions.