Respiratory Panels 2.1 for Cartagena

STATEMENT OF WORK The U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), an AFHSD-GEIS partner, leads multiple studies involving a myriad of sites located throughout Latin America. These studies involve testing for causes of acute febrile illness (AFI) and respiratory influenza-like illness (ILI) pathogens using the FilmArray platform. Acute febrile illness (AFI) in Latin America is caused by a diverse set of pathogens ranging from bacteria, to viruses, and parasites. Current efforts and methodologies of surveillance testing and advanced isolation have limited success at identification of pathogens. ILI, caused by viral pathogens such as influenza A and B, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, etc., could be considered to have a high impact in morbidity in different countries like Peru and Colombia. Independently from the A/H1N1 influenza pandemics occurred in 2009, the influenza virus annually causes symptomatic disease in around 20% of the pediatric world population and 5% of the adult population. Even the influenza A type virus (main cause of influenza in humans) causes approximately half a million deaths per year. Also, viruses like parainfluenza, adenovirus or RSV may cause severe disease during childhood. In the last years, the surveillance implemented in Latin America has expanded knowledge on acute febrile illness in the region. NAMRU-6 efforts in Latin and Central America have resulted in the characterization of the causes of febrile disease extending beyond influenza and Dengue viruses and Malaria spp. NAMRU-6 activities have assisted in advanced identification of circulating pathogens including: respiratory viruses, Dengue and Zika virus outbreak identification, advanced malaria characterization, Chikungunya diagnostics, and identification of bacterial causes of febrile disease. In the operating region of NAMRU-6, in addition to the recent outbreak of Zika and Chikungunya, there is an ongoing outbreak of Dengue virus infection and reemergence of Yellow Fever and malaria. Surveillance performed by the NAMRU-6 over the past two decades has been instrumental in characterizing the burden of endemic tropical diseases throughout the region, all of which contribute to the accomplishment of the AFHSD-GEIS mission. It has become necessary for our researchers to focus on single test diagnostics by class of pathogens limited to parasites, viruses or bacteria contributing to epidemiological work in AFI and ILI diseases in Colombia. GENERAL REQUIREMENT Government need comprises of six (06) Respiratory Panel 2.1 kits, from Biofire. Panels should be delivered to the following address: Universidad de Cartagena Campus Zaragocilla, Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio UNIMOL, 1er piso, Zaragocilla 130015, Cartagena, Colombia Materials should be delivered to the above address as soon as contract is awarded.