2009 H1N1 Flu Updates for Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers and Physician Office Labs

**This is a rapidly evolving situation and guidance should be considered interim and will be updated frequently.**

September 29, 2009

CDC Updated Guidance for Clinical Use of Influenza Diagnostic Tests

September 2, 2009

Update: Revised Laboratory Testing Criteria for Novel H1N1 Influenza A

August 18, 2009

Updated CDC Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers

July 31, 2009

Guidance for PHL and Private Sector H1 Testing

New CDC Guidance on Utility of Rapid Tests (RIDT's)

April 29, 2009 Update

Attention Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers and Physician Office Labs:

From the CDC Worker Safety and Health Desk

RE: Infection Control Procedures Clarification for Rapid Flu Testing

Updated CDC guidance for infection control when performing rapid flu testing:

§ There are NO special requirements or unique infection control practices such as testing under a hood, or under enhanced Biosafety Level 2 conditions.  As usual, Universal Precautions should be employed.

§ CDC guidance states that “Viral Isolation” procedures do require such enhanced infection control practices, such as viral typing and culturing, but this should not be confused with rapid flu testing.

This recommendation was clarified by the Work Safety and Health Desk at CDC.

Please direct any additional questions to the OSDH Public Health Laboratory at (405) 271-5070.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Links

CDC Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers

CDC Swine Flu (H1N1) Home

Oklahoma State Department of Health

Commercially Available Rapid Antigen Tests

Fillable Oklahoma PHL Requisition Form 419

New CDC Guidance on Utility of Rapid Tests (RIDT's)

 OSDH H1N1 Flu Web

OK HAN (Health Alert Network) Updates

April 24, 2009 - Enhanced Surveillance and Testing Recommendations for Oklahoma Clinicians and Laboratories (37KB.pdf)

April 30, 2009 - Clarification on Procedures for Rapid Influenza Testing (28.3KB.pdf)