CDC: Interim Guidance for Enhanced Influenza Surveillance: Additional Specimen Collection for Detection of Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus Infections

[This has been posted on the right side-bar, under H3N2v Information list for future reference]

Posted on July 3, 2013

Summary

This document is an update to interim enhanced surveillance guidance posted in 2012. In anticipation of the 2013 agricultural fair season, states should consider expanding surveillance to include reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of specimens from ILINet providers statewide, of specimens collected from people with ILI reporting recent swine contact or agricultural fair attendance, and of specimens collected from people with unusual or severe presentations of ILI. States should also consider collection of specimens from outbreaks of ILI among children in child-care and school settings, since these settings have been associated with person-to-person H3N2v virus transmission in 2011. CDC will continue to evaluate new information as it becomes available and will update this guidance as needed.

Continued:  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-surveillance.htm