Labcorp introduces H5 bird flu molecular test
Labcorp announced the availability of its new H5 bird flu molecular test to aid in the diagnosis of human infection with H5 bird flu. The test is available in the United States to physicians to order for patients suspected of infection with the H5N1 virus.
Labcorp developed this commercially available test with support from the Centers for Disease Control to increase access and testing capacity to support public health preparedness strategies.
"As we continue to monitor developments related to the H5N1 virus, Labcorp is dedicated to equipping healthcare providers with the critical diagnostic tools they need to address emerging infectious disease threats," said Marcia Eisenberg, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Labcorp. "By leveraging Labcorp's scientific expertise and extensive testing capacity, we are contributing to a proactive public health preparedness strategy, putting testing resources and infrastructure in place to detect and respond to human cases of H5 bird flu."
Healthcare providers suspecting patients of H5 bird flu infection can collect a nasopharyngeal swab specimen at the point of care and submit it to Labcorp for analysis. Labcorp's test uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology and a specific reagent validated to determine the presence of the H5 virus genetic material. Results are reported to the patient and physician.
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