Labcorp has commercially launched its new molecular diagnostic test for patients suspected of infection with the H5N1 virus responsible for the current outbreak of H5 avian flu.
The test, which is now available in the U.S. for physicians to order for patients, was developed with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to increase testing access and capacity in support of public health preparedness strategies, Labcorp said in a statement. The test is not yet available in New York state, the firm noted.
Labcorp’s test uses polymerase chain reaction and a specific reagent validated to determine the presence of the H5N1 virus’ genetic material from a nasopharyngeal swab specimen collected at the point of care and sent to Labcorp for analysis. The results are then reported to the patient and physician.
While Labcorp notes that the current human health risk from avian flu remains low amid a multistate outbreak affecting both poultry and dairy cows, there have been 61 confirmed total reported human cases in the U.S. to date, mostly in people who work with dairy and poultry. The CDC is monitoring human cases while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is assisting in livestock surveillance. The new test from Labcorp can be used in surveillance efforts, the company noted.
Labcorp's partnership with the CDC on the avian flu test is the latest in a series of collaborations on tests for emerging viruses responsible for infectious diseases, including Zika, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), and mpox.
Further information about the test is available on Labcorp’s website.
