For the fall 2011 Influenza Season, the MDCH Bureau of Laboratories will be performing testing for all flu strains which include 2009 pandemic flu, seasonal flu A types and Flu B. In addition, MDCH continues to highly encourage confirmatory influenza testing for cases of public health interest (ICU hospitalizations, severely ill pregnant women, patients with unusual and severe presentations, deaths) and for congregate setting outbreak/cluster investigations. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is reminding laboratories to please submit all rapid positive flu for confirmation.
Please note the approved specimen types for Flu PCR analysis have been expanded to include all of the following:
- Upper respiratory tract specimens such as nasopharyngeal swabs (NP), nasal swabs (NS), throat swabs (TS), dual NP/TS swabs, nasal washes (NW), and nasal aspirates (NA)
- Lower respiratory tract specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washes (BW), tracheal aspirates (TA), sputum, lung tissue, and viral culture
For the most current updates, see the latest MIFluFocus report . For the latest information on the outbreak, see the MDCH Influenza Page .
2011-2012 Influenza Test Algorithm
2011-2012 Influenza PCR Result Interpretation Table
2011-2012 Influenza Season Report
The data shown here are the results obtained by the MDCH Virology Laboratory from specimens for targeted public health testing plus surveillance testing through the Michigan Sentinel Physician and Sentinel Laboratory Programs. The Sentinel Physician Program consists of medical provider sites from a variety of geographic locations throughout Michigan enrolled in the sentinel surveillance program. These providers represent private practice for adult and pediatric patients, as well as urgent and emergency care facilities, nursing homes and university health services. Michigan is now conducting routine influenza surveillance year round. Thus, MDCH requests submission of two to three specimens for influenza A and B viral culture four times during the year: early influenza season, when influenza virus is beginning to circulate; middle season, during the peak of influenza activity; late season, as influenza activity diminishes; and in the summer months. Participation in this program is voluntary.
The influenza season runs from October through the end of September each year.
Time
|
Inf. B
|
2009 A, H1
|
Seasonal A, H1
|
Seasonal A, H3
|
A, Unsubtypable
|
Adeno
|
RSV
|
Para 1
|
Para 2
|
Para 3
|
Feb 5 - Feb 11
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
58
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jan 29 - Feb 4
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
45
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jan 22 - Jan 28
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
18
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jan 15 - Jan 21
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
26
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jan 8 - Jan 14
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
16
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jan 1 - Jan 7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Dec 25 - Dec 31
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Dec 18 - Dec 24
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Dec 11 - Dec 17
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Dec 4 - Dec 10
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Nov 27 - Dec 3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Nov 20 - Nov 26
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Nov 13 - Nov 19
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Nov 6 - Nov 12
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Oct 30 - Nov 5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
October 2011
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2011-2012 Guidance Documents
2011-2012 Influenza Testing Algorithm
2011-2012 Northern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Components
A/California/7/2009 (2009 H1N1) - like virus
A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) - like virus
B/Brisbane/60/2008 (B/Victoria lineage) - like virus
Antiviral Resistance Testing
2011-2012 Influenza Antiviral Resistance Testing Information - updated 10/28/2011
Information on Testing for Influenza Antiviral Resistance- updated 01/11/2010
Algorithm for Requests for Antiviral Resistance Testing by CDC for Clinical Care- updated 01/11/2010
Test Request Form
MDCH Test Request Form - 4/27/2009
Quick Guide for Filling Out the MDCH Test Request Form - updated 11/1/2011
Specimen Collection and Shipping
Approved specimen types for influenza testing at the MDCH BOL:
- Upper respiratory tract specimens such as nasopharyngeal swabs (NP), nasal swabs (NS), throat swabs (TS), dual NP/TS swabs, nasal washes (NW), and nasal aspirates (NA)
- Lower respiratory tract specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), bronchial washes (BW), tracheal aspirates (TA), sputum, lung tissue, and viral culture
Quick Guide for Packaging and Shipping Influenza Specimens to BOL - updated 9/15/2009
Quick Guide for Making Influenza Specimen Collection Kits - updated 8/26/2009
MDCH BOL Flu Collection Guide - updated 11/16/2010
Biological Substance, Category B Shipping Label - DCH-0800 - updated 12/21/2009
Influenza Resources
MiFluFocus - A weekly influenza surveillence report that comes out Thursdays each week.
Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines - These biosafety guidelines have been developed for Michigan laboratories handling and processing specimens associated with influenza.
- To expedite receipt of laboratory results, we urge all submitters to register for fax transmittal of reports. Fax agencies receive their reports the day testing is completed. This is especially important for those submitting specimens for H5 PCR testing. Non-fax agencies receive reports via the U.S. Post Office. This method will delay your report by several days. Registration information.
National influenza surveillance summary information:
Past Influenza Season Data
Rev. 02/13/2012
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