Conjunctival Swab Specimen Collection for Detection of Avian Influenza A(H5) Viruses

On July 17, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Desk Reference Graphic describing the procedure for collecting, storing and transporting conjunctival specimens for influenza A(H5) testing of patients with conjunctivitis and suspected infection. For patients who are only presenting with conjunctivitis, CDC recommends collection of both conjunctival swab and nasopharyngeal…

Updated Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Guidance

On July 12, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated webpages and guidance about working with specimens from patients suspected of having a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). This guidance applies to VHFs caused by infections with filoviruses (orthoebolavirus and orthomarburgviruses), arenaviruses (Lassa, Lujo, Guanarito virus, Sabia virus, Junin virus, Chapare virus…