This webinar will provide an overview of the serological studies and their use in the surveillance of influenza and respiratory viruses, as well as in the response and risk assessment of emergent respiratory viruses. 

The course will be conducted by the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Portugal, partner of the consortium “AURORAE - lAboratory sUppoRt fOr influenza and coRonA for Europe”, under contract of European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). AURORAE has the objective to support countries in building capacities in the areas of diagnosis, detection, identification and characterisation of primarily influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

Duration: 2-hour webinar on 12^th March 2026, 13:00-15:00 CET.

Audience: This Webinar is designed for learners of all levels of expertise in the field of serological studies and laboratory assays for influenza. It is aimed for individuals involved in the influenza and respiratory virus’s diagnosis and/or virological surveillance; anyone interested in serosurveillance and/or in learning more about the applications of serological studies in the surveillance, prevention and control of respiratory viral diseases.

Objectives: 

Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance and applicability of the serological studies in the surveillance and response to emerging respiratory viruses;
• Design a protocol for implementing a population serological study for influenza. Understand representativeness, sample size calculation and data collection;
• Recognise the advantages and limitations of the laboratory assays for the detecting antibodies against influenza.

Participation: This training is open for public enrolment. It's made available for free, thanks to EU funding.