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As we head into fall 2024, the high-risk season for West Nile Virus is well underway. The CDC tracks cases from June to December, and the U.S. typically records approximately 2,200 cases annually. As of September 10th, nearly 500 cases have been confirmed across 39 states, with more cases anticipated as the season progresses. Understanding…
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first identified in 1959 during an outbreak in a Dutch research monkey colony. The first human case was reported in 1970 in what is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The causative virus, MPXV, has two distinct lineages: Clade I and Clade II. It belongs to…
In our last blog, we discussed the H5N1 virus, its epidemiology and the nature of avian influenza infection. Today, we will delve into other aspects of H5N1 avian influenza including the current laboratory testing status, lessons learned from COVID-19 and the CDC’s strategic preparedness. Laboratory Testing for Avian Flu For patients exhibiting influenza symptoms, prompt…
On August 13, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity, a seasonal respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets by individuals with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. In early 2024, public health authorities in 14 European countries observed unusually high numbers of…
On August 1, 2024, BD sent an urgent Medical Device Correction update regarding the removal of affected BD BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 PZA Kits. Through internal BD complaint trending and review of internal raw material testing, lots of BD BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 PZA Kits were identified that may intermittently produce falsely resistant results for pyrazinamide (PZA) during susceptibility…
On July 19, the CDC posted an update1 on H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) cases reported so far this year in the U.S., linked to a multistate outbreak in dairy cows and other animals. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these cases have raised concerns about the H5N1 virus potentially becoming the next significant…
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…
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…
On May 7, 2024, representatives from various organizations across the nation met in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida for the second Annual Workforce Action Alliance (WAA) Summit. The WAA is an executive-level group focused on identifying a few key initiatives each year to address the laboratory workforce shortage. During one of COLA’s Annual Laboratory Enrichment Forums,…
