The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory in mid-January with guidance to clinicians and laboratories about testing for avian influenza A (H5N1). Among the recommendations was subtyping influenza A-positive specimens from hospitalized patients.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories offers testing for many respiratory infections, including influenza A. However, at this time, it is recommended that clinicians and healthcare organizations work with their local and state health departments when subtyping is needed.

“Subtyping tests are increasingly in development and there will be more options for obtaining this information in the near future,” says Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D. “But, right now, your local public health departments are the best resource for subtyping.”

Dr. Binnicker also emphasizes that this guidance is currently only for hospitalized patients, particularly for those in intensive care units. The CDC still considers the risk from avian influenza viruses to be low for most people. However, for those who are severely ill, it is important to understand more about what is causing their illness to assist with patient management, infection control, and case investigation.

Resources for more information about the advisory and H5N1:

• Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ respiratory viruses testing details
• CDC Health Alert Network: Accelerated Subtyping of Influenza A in Hospitalized Patients
• Mayo Clinic News Network: Keeping an Eye on Avian Influenza with Dr. Matthew Binnicker
• Answers From the Lab: The Latest on H5 Avian Influenza with Dr. Bill Morice