ID:IOTS - Infectious Disease Insight Of Two Specialists 134. The Rare and Imported Pathogens Lab (RIPL)
Mar 16, 2026
Dr Claire Gordon, head of RIPL who leads diagnostics and surveillance for high‑risk and travel‑associated infections, and Dr Amy Belfield, a clinical fellow running the 24/7 Imported Fever Service. They explain what RIPL does, how the round‑the‑clock service and clinical fellowship operate, triage and testing strategies, adapting panels for shifting risks, turnaround times, funding models and training pathways.
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What The Rare Imported Pathogens Lab Actually Does
- RIPL handles infections that are rare, imported, dangerous, or hard to diagnose.
- It covers viruses and bacteria (not fungi or parasites) and combines high-consequence VHF testing with travel-associated infections like Lyme and leptospirosis.
Phone The Imported Fever Service For 24/7 Clinical Triage
- Use the Imported Fever Service (IFS) 24/7 helpline for clinical advice and triage; two clinicians are usually on call.
- Typical demand is ~5–10 calls/day but surges during outbreaks (e.g., MPox, rabies awareness) so phone early for risk assessment.
Apply For The RIPL Clinical Fellowship Or Join Training Events
- Consider applying for the RIPL clinical fellowship (year-long, advert ~Jan–Feb) or attend their training days and weekly IFS teleconference for education.
- Fellows work clinical triage, lab authorization, result-calling, infection control advice, and outbreak response (e.g., Marburg, Ebola, Nipah).