Influenza Testing at the MDH Public Health Laboratory (MDH-PHL)

On this page:
Criteria for Testing
Specimen Submission
Specimen Collection

Criteria for Testing for Influenza at MDH-PHL

Laboratory testing for influenza at the MDH Public Health Laboratory includes:

1. Hospitalized surveillance – specimens submitted from persons who are hospitalized with influenza-like illness (ILI)* or hospitalized with clinical suspicion of influenza or deceased following ILI or deceased with clinical suspicion of influenza.
  a. If no influenza testing is performed, submit a nasopharyngeal swab or other specimen as appropriate, see Specimen Submission.
  b. If a rapid influenza test was performed, regardless of the result send a specimen.
  c. If your laboratory is performing onsite influenza testing by PCR and/or viral culture (or if you are using a reference laboratory for PCR and/or viral culture), MDH is still requesting that specimens that are positive for influenza from these patients be submitted to MDH-PHL for further characterization.
 

* ILI is defined as fever > 100° F and cough or sore throat in the absence of a known disease other than influenza.

2. Cluster investigation or other unusual circumstance for which MDH Epidemiology has requested a specimen(s) be sent to MDH-PHL. Testing in atypical situations (e.g. for a suspected influenza cluster) will be considered for testing after consultation with MDH epidemiology at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
3. Laboratory surveillance - To further characterize this season's influenza strains, MDH-PHL is requesting that laboratories performing rapid testing methods (EIA, IFA, DFA, PCR, etc.) continue to submit up to two patient specimens (non-hospitalized) that are positive for influenza A or B each week for surveillance purposes. In addition, virology laboratories should continue to submit viral culture isolates that are positive for influenza.

Specimen Submission

NOTE: There is a change from the 2009-2010 influenza season as the Clinical Screening Form is no longer being used. We are requesting that you choose from one of two versions of the Clinical Testing and Submission Form depending on whether the specimen is being submitted from a hospitalized or non-hospitalized patient.

Hospitalized Patients Only - Influenza Testing - Clinical Testing and Submission Form (Project #1492)
Use this form for all specimens submitted from persons hospitalized with ILI or clinical suspicion of influenza. In order to allow for prompt testing of submitted specimens for project #1492, please be sure to fill out the form completely, especially information regarding hospitalization (date of admission, hospital of admission, and outcome) found on the lower right hand corner of the form.

Use either version of this form: Hospitalized Patients Only – Influenza Testing

Non-Hospitalized Influenza Testing Clinical Testing and Submission Form
Use this form for submitting specimens for influenza testing from non-hospitalized patients. This would include submissions by clinical laboratories for positive influenza specimens that are being sent to MDH-PHL for surveillance subtyping or for any specimen specifically requested by MDH staff related to cluster investigation or other unusual circumstance. Please include any influenza testing results, methods used (DFA, rapid EIA, PCR, etc.) and name of test kit(s) in the comment section at the bottom of the form.

Use either version of this form:  Clinical Testing and Submission Form (Revised September 2010)

Specimen Collection

    • Laboratory Influenza Information
      Additional laboratory information including specimen collection, type of specimens to submit, how to send a specimen, and shipping information.

Updated Friday, 28-Jan-2011 15:57:13 CST