Pre-Approvalā
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Prior approval is required to ship these samples for testing.
The CDPH Immunization Branch (InfluenzaSurveillance@cdph.ca.gov, (510) 620-3737) must pre-approve of any novel/avian influenza test requests prior to specimens being sent to VRDL for testing. The VRDL will not test unapproved suspect Novel/Avian Influenza specimens. Contact your local public health department for pre-approval information.
Submitters must coordinate deliveries with CDPH before shipping. VRDL will not test any suspect Novel/Avian Influenza specimens that are received without prior coordination and tracking information.ā
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Important information to provide on Submittal Form
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Please provide patientās animal exposure history, symptoms, date of illness onset, county of residence, name and phone number of the initial testing laboratory, and real-time RT-PCR Ct values on the submittal form.
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Submittal Form
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Specimens must be accompanied with a hard copy of the completed āVRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal Formāā (PDF) or a form generated in the VRDL Lab Web Portalā. |
| Methodology (Commercial Test Name or Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)) |
Real-time RT-PCR (CDC) (Diagnostic)
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| Reflex Testing |
Seasonal Influenza A subtyping: A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3)
Novel Influenza: A(H5) and A(H7)
Influenza B typing and Influenza B Lineage Genotyping
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| Acceptable Specimen Type(s) and Collection Method |
Human specimens:
For individuals that meet clinical and epidemiologic criteria for influenza A(H5N1) with:
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āRespiratory illness: preferably two specimens should be collected
- āāāA nasopharyngeal (NP) swab* (required), and
- A combined nasal swab* (NS) and oropharyngeal (OP) swab* (i.e., two swabs placed into one vial with either viral transport medium or universal transport medium)
Additional respiratory specimens can be submitted if available: nasal aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, and tracheal aspirate in sterile collection tube
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āāConjunctivitis: (with or without respiratory symptoms): the following two specimens should be collected
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āA conjunctival swab*, and
- An NP* swab
*Swab specimens: only swabs with a synthetic tip, such as nylon or Dacron and either aluminum or plastic shafts are acceptable for testing at the VRDL. We CANNOT accept cotton swabs with a wooden shaft.ā
Please see CDC's Conjunctival Swab Specimen Collection Guide for Avian Influenza A(H5) viruses (PDF)ā for more information regarding conjunctival swab collection.
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Minimum Volume Requestedā
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Place swab specimens** in 2-3 mL of Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM)
**NP or conjunctival swab specimens; NS and OP swabs should be placed in a single vial with VTM or UTM.ā
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| Transport Medium (if using) |
Viral Transport Medium or Universal Transport Medium
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| Specimen Labeling |
Each specimen tube must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., patient full name and date of birth. |
Storage & Preservation of Specimen / Shipping Conditions
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- Freeze or refrigerate specimens after collection.
Ship refrigerated specimens to VRDL on cold packs. Ship frozen specimens to VRDL on dry ice.ā
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Shipping Instructions
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āWork with your local public health department to ensure samples are packaged according to instructions for Biological Substance ā Category B (UN 3373) shipment.
Ship specimens overnight (Monday though Thursday) and a hard copy of the completed submittal forms to:
āCDPH VRDL
ATTN: Specimen Receiving
850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-307-8585
For urgent test requests after hours, please contact the VRDL Points of Contact (listed below).
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āTurnaround Time
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2 Business Days
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āāLimitations
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āLow viral load or co-infections can affect test results. Calcium alginate swabs are unacceptable and cotton swabs with wooden shafts are unacceptable because they can cause false-negative results.
āāNegative results do not preclude the possibility of influenza virus infection.ā
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āAdditional Information
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Specimens should be collected as close to illness onset as possible and no longer than 10 days after onset.ā
āPlease visit our ā CDPH Human Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Quicksheetā (PDF) for more information.ā
For questions regarding animal testing please contact the CDPH Veterinary Public Health Section.
CDC resources:
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āVRDL Points of Contact
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Testing Coordinator: Alice Chen alice.chen@cdph.ca.gov (510) 307-8585
āMedical and Epidemiology Liaisons: (510) 307-8585 or VRDL.submittal@cdph.ca.gov
āAfter Hours CDPH Duty Officer: (916) 328-3605
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