Influenza A (H5) Virus

ARUP offers new assay to detect influenza A (H5)

In 2024, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A, also known as H5N1, bird flu, or influenza H5, was identified in poultry flocks and dairy cattle in many locations across the United States. Several human infections with influenza H5 have been reported, the majority of which involved direct exposure to infected animals. While the public health risk remains low, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission, ARUP’s test can help clinicians diagnose influenza H5 in at-risk individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions: Influenza A (H5)

View the following information for answers to frequently asked questions about ARUP’s assay, Influenza A (H5) Virus by Qualitative NAAT (3018970).

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Given the evolving nature of the outbreak, individuals who meet the most current CDC guidelines should be tested. This currently includes individuals with known exposure to infected animals (dairy cattle, poultry flocks, or wild birds) and a compatible clinical presentation. Testing is not recommended in individuals who are asymptomatic. ¹

Collect: Respiratory swab or conjunctival swab

Specimen Preparation: Place swab in viral transport media (ARUP supply #12884).

Storage/Transport Temperature: Frozen

Stability:

Ambient: 2 days
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 14 days

Turnaround Time: 1–3 days

For additional information, refer to ARUP’s laboratory test directory.

Yes, a respiratory swab or conjunctival swab is also acceptable in the following media types: M4, M4-RT, M5, M5-RT, M6, UTM, BD Universal Transport Media (UVT), saline/PBS, UTM-RT, Copan, Puritan UniTranz-RT, Ruhof 345TK-2 VTM, Ruhof 345TK-3 VTM, Avantik Media, MedShenker STM, Hardy VTM, Quest V-C-M Media, BioSci VTM, Xpert VTM.

Influenza A (H5) Virus by Qualitative NAAT (3018970) provides two results: one that indicates the detection of any influenza A virus, and one that indicates detection of the H5 subtype, specifically.

Sensitivity

The limit of detection for the influenza A (H5) subtype was shown to be 125 copies/reaction.

Specificity

This assay was shown not to detect: Influenza B, adenovirus, parainfluenza 1–4, rhinovirus, B. parapertussis, B. pertussis, C. trachomatis, H. influenzae, HSV-1, HSV-2, RSV, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, SARS-CoV-2

Influenza A (H5) Virus by Qualitative NAAT (3018970) is not New York approved.

For pricing, please contact ARUP Client Services at 1-800-522-2787.

ARUP will report as required by state laws and regulations; this meets our reporting requirements as the performing laboratory. This does not cover reporting that may or may not be required by other healthcare providers. ARUP does not maintain a list of reporting requirements for providers, so we are unable to provide guidance on provider/client reporting.

Ancillary Testing

At this time, subtyping is only available for influenza A (H5) viruses. Some commercial assays may provide subtyping for seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. For less common subtypes (e.g., H7 or H9), additional testing is available through the Influenza Division of the CDC.

ARUP performs other testing to support the care of patients with suspected or confirmed influenza A (H5) virus infection.

Other infections can present with symptoms similar to those of influenza A (H5). Consider these alternative tests: Respiratory Virus Mini Panel by PCR (0060764), Respiratory Viral Panel by PCR (3001479), and SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19) by NAA.

Specimens from patients who might be infected with novel influenza A viruses should not be submitted for viral culture testing. According to the CDC, “Laboratories should not attempt to isolate novel influenza A virus using viral culture.”²

References