DPH stops routine H1N1 virus testing

On June 12, the Hinton State Laboratory Institute ceased performing diagnostic testing for H1N1 influenza, except in rare circumstances.

Testing will be performed only in cases where confirmatory results will significantly impact the clinical management of a patient, or where there is a clear public health benefit. Such specimens should be submitted only after the approval of a state Department of Public Health epidemiologist.

As swine-origin influenza A H1N1 infections become increasingly widespread, laboratory confirmation of the novel H1N1 influenza is becoming less critical to decisions regarding antiviral treatment, chemoprophylaxis and disease control measures.

In addition, as the number of seasonal influenza A infections has declined, the identification of influenza A by rapid tests and other methods has become more useful as an indicator of the presence of H1N1 influenza.

Specimens from influenza sentinel sites will continue to be tested at HSLI. This will provide a representative sample for disease surveillance, and will allow for identification of significant mutations in the viral genetic structure over time.

The World Health Organization declared a global H1N1 influenza pandemic on June 11, the first pandemic in 41 years.