MDCH - Laboratory Influenza Page

Laboratory Influenza Page

For this Influenza Season, the MDCH Bureau of Laboratories will be performing testing for all flu strains which include 2009 A H1, 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 .

Interim Influenza Surveillance, Reporting and Testing Guidance for Laboratories for Swine Influenza A (H3N2v) - added 8/16/2012

2012-2013 Influenza Test Algorithm - added 9/5/2012
2012-2013 Influenza PCR Result Interpretation Table - added 9/6/2012
2012-2013 Antiviral Resistance Information - added 9/5/2012

Missed the September 11, 2012 Clinical Partner's Influenza Call?
We recorded it! The recording is approximately 21 minutes long.

2012-2013 Influenza Season Report

MDCH Laboratory Data

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	Variant A, (H3N2v)	Adeno	RSV	Para 1	Para 2	Para 3
June 9 - June 15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
June 2 - June 8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
May 26- June 1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
May 19 - May 25	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
May 12 - May 18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
May 5 - May 11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Apr 28 - May 4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
April 2013	13	12	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mar 2013	17	6	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0
Feb 2013	21	6	0	31	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jan 2013	40	3	0	231	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dec 2012	40	5	0	206	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nov 2012	4	1	1	17	0	0	0	0	0	0
October 2012	9	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0

2012-2013 Guidance Documents

2012-2013 Influenza Test Algorithm - added 9/5/2012
2012-2013 Influenza PCR Result Interpretation Table - added 9/6/2012
2012-2013 Antiviral Resistance Information - added 9/5/2012

2012-2013 Influenza Guidance for Local Health Departments - added 9/28/2012
2012-2013 Influenza Guidance for Healthcare Providers - added 9/28/2012
2012-2013 Influenza Guidance for Laboratories - added 9/28/2012

2012-2013 Northern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Components

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2) - like virus
B/Wisconsin/1/2010 - like virus

2013-2014 Northern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Components

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
An A(H3N2) virus antigenically like the cell-propagated prototye virus A/Victoria/361/2011
B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus
Quadrivalent vaccines will also contain: B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

Antiviral Resistance Testing

2012-2013 Antiviral Resistance Information - added 9/5/2012

2011-2012 Influenza Antiviral Resistance Testing Information - updated 10/28/2011

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 (PCR only), 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.
www.michigan.gov/flu - A State of Michigan web site dedicated to influenza (flu).
www.michigan.gov/prepare- A State of Michigan web site dedicated to emergency preparedness.
www.pandemicflu.gov- The National Influenza Preparedness web site.
Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines - These biosafety guidelines have been developed for Michigan laboratories handling and processing specimens associated with influenza.
CDC Guidelines for Follow-up of Contacts of Persons with Suspected Avian Influenza (H5N1). - updated 11/25/2008
CDC Guidelines for Lab Testing of Persons with Suspected Avian Influenza (H5N1). - updated 11/25/2008
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.