In response to the ongoing U.S. outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) will produce a rapid expert consultation aimed at strengthening national and local H5N1 laboratory preparedness and response capacity. Recognizing the critical need for timely and effective diagnostic capabilities, this consultation will assess the current “state-of-the-art” for H5N1 diagnostics for humans; identify key opportunities and gaps to diagnostic capacity; and explore strategies and roles for the federal government, private sector, academic, and other stakeholders in enhancing H5 diagnostic capabilities. The consultation will address urgent and strategic questions, including:
• What diagnostic tools are currently available or in development for human H5N1 detection, and how effective are they across various contexts?
• Where are the most pressing gaps in diagnostic infrastructure, scalability, and accessibility, particularly at the state and local levels?
• How can the federal government, academic institutions, private industry, and health systems collaborate to accelerate diagnostic deployment and innovation?
• What lessons can be drawn from the ongoing H5N1 response to improve surge capacity, data sharing, and coordination?
This effort will build upon prior National Academies work including the 2024 workshop on Potential Research Priorities to Inform Readiness and Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1), and will be informed by expert input, published relevant literature, and lessons learned in the ongoing state and local response to H5N1. This rapid consultation is intended to inform immediate decision-making and coordination but will not include formal findings, conclusions, recommendations, or policy advice.