Submitting Influenza Specimens to MDH for Laboratory Testing: Long-Term Care
Obtain and submit specimens from residents or staff promptly for influenza testing
- Diagnostic testing for influenza-like illness should be performed in accordance with your usual procedures.
- If an influenza outbreak is suspected, specimens should also be submitted to MDH for influenza PCR testing and/or viral culture to determine if seasonal influenza may be circulating in your facility. Submitting specimens to MDH should be done in addition to any diagnostic influenza testing performed.
- Please call 651- 201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414 (toll-free). When you call to report a suspected outbreak, MDH will help facilitate the specimen submission process.
- Collect specimens from two or three residents and/or staff persons with influenza-like illness or clinical suspicion of infection. Specimens should be collected as soon as possible and no more than three days after symptom onset.
- Nasopharyngeal swab is the preferred specimen. Other acceptable specimens are: nasal swab, nasal wash/aspirate, combined nasal swab with a throat swab, or additional lower respiratory specimens. Swabs from the same person may be placed in the same vial.
- N/P Swab
- Perform a nasopharyngeal swab in both nares, using a viral culturette.
- Gently insert the swab through the nostril to the posterior nasopharynx.
- Leave swab in place for 15-30 seconds, rotate, and remove.
- Place the swab directly into the viral transport media.
- One MDH form is required for each person tested.
Please denote that the specimen is from a long-term care facility.
- Use a cold pack to keep specimens at 4°C.
- Ship to the laboratory by an overnight delivery service.
Mail to:
By U.S. Mail:
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
Attn: Specimen Handling, 1st Floor
601 Robert Street North
P.O. Box 64899
St. Paul, MN 55164-0899
By Federal Express:
Minnesota Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
Attn: Specimen Handling, 1st Floor
601 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155-2531
For questions about specimen handling, call the MDH lab at 651-201-4953.
For questions about influenza surveillance, call
651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414 (toll-free).
There is no cost to long-term care facilities for testing for influenza.
Spotlight
Voluntary quality assurance program for community vaccinators.
Order Influenza Immunization Materials
Health care worker flu vaccination program.
Attention: Non-MDH link
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
