Diagnostics infrastructure comparison
| Test type | Lab infrastructure requirements (example) | Training requirements (example) | Turnaround time | Typical cost | In-house test | Commercial source |
| Virus isolation, neutralisation | HIGH (BSL-3/4) (reference laboratory) | HIGH (advanced lab technician) | 7–10 days | – | >3 | – |
| NAAT reference (includes multiplex) | HIGH (BSL-3/4) (reference laboratory) | HIGH to MODERATE (advanced lab technician) | 2–3 hours 1–2 hours (prep) | $30–$100 | >10 | 3–5 |
| NAAT POC | MODERATE/BSL-2 (district hospital) | MODERATE (lab technician) | 1–2 hours | $15–$30 | – | – |
| ELISA, IFA/IIFT, WB | HIGH to MODERATE (regional lab, district hospital) | MODERATE (lab technician) | 3–4 hours | $5–$15 | >10 | 1–2 |
| RDT | LOW (clinic, health centre, field settings) | LOW (nurse, healthcare worker) | <30 min | $1–$20 | – | 1 |
IFA/IIFT, indirect immunofluorescence assay test; NAAT, nucleic acid amplification test; POC, point of care; RDT, rapid diagnostic test; WB, western blot.