Testing for Influenza in Pennsylvanians with Severe Respiratory Illness 

The PA Department of Health released PA-HAN-753 on June 6 asking that clinicians continue to test for influenza in patients with respiratory illness throughout the summer, particularly in individuals who are severely ill, or individuals with influenza-like illness with or without a fever or conjunctivitis, particularly in persons with relevant exposures (e.g., dairy cows, raw milk, wild birds, poultry, agricultural fair attendance). Forward to the state public health laboratory for further testing the following: any specimens that are positive for influenza A but are subtype negative; or influenza A positive specimens that are subtype influenza A (H1) and not influenza A(H1)pdm09 on tests designed to provide an influenza subtyping result and confirmed upon retest or specimens from severely ill patients for which subtyping is not done.,. Please call the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) at 1-877- PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.

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