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Virus Reference and Surveillance Laboratory (VRSL)

Influenza Viruses A and B

Clinical Virology Program

Links

Electron micrograph of influenza A virus

Electron micrograph of influenza A virus

Contact Information

Lab Director:
Kirsten St. George M.App.Sc., Ph.D.
(518) 869-4520

Cell-Based Testing Supervisor:
Kim Rush-Wilson
(518) 869-4559

Molecular Testing Supervisor:
Meghan Fuschino, M.S.
(518) 869-4559

Certification Information

CLIA # 33D0654341
PFI # 1067
WHO Collaborating Laboratory
Disease:
  • Lower respiratory disease characterized by sudden onset of fever and malaise
  • Possible secondary bacterial infections
  • Encephalitis
Transmission:
  • Via aerosols
Vaccination:
  • Vaccine is available and should be administered each year. Inactivated influenza vaccine is available to those over 6 months old and administered by injection. There is also a nasal spray influenza vaccine of live attenuated virus that can be given to healthy individuals between 5 and 49 years old.
Age Association:
  • All Ages
Geographic Distribution:
  • World wide
Seasonal Distribution:
  • Winter and early spring (December to April)
Preferred Specimens:
  • Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate; oropharyngeal swab, bronchial wash, and CSF
Collection and Shipping:
Test Methods: Culture:
  • Conventional tube culture
  • Hemadsorbtion Assay
  Antigen Detection:
  • Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
  Molecular:
  • Real-time RT-PCR
  • Conventional RT-PCR for subtyping
  • Sequencing for strain analysis (selected samples only)
  Serology:
Links of Interest: