Influenza

 

2014-2015 Iowa Influenza Webinar/Teleconference

The Iowa Department of Public Health and the State Hygienic Laboratory will be presenting information on Influenza and other respiratory virus activity, vaccine, antiviral medications, laboratory testing and statewide surveillance on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. (noon).

This webinar is intended for those working in hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Registration is available online.

Influenza Surveillance in Iowa provides awareness of when and where influenza is circulating in Iowa and allows for characterization of viruses for match to the current vaccine, antiviral drug resistance, and to look for new strains of influenza virus.

Influenza testing at SHL is recommended for the following:
• Laboratories: Submit rapid antigen test positive specimens until one test is confirmed by molecular testing. (Recommendation is for one A and one B if applicable.)
• Hospitals: Submit specimens from hospitalized patients (in-patients, not patients seen in the Emergency Department) with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and without other apparent cause.
• Patients from a defined population when an influenza outbreak is suspected, such as at a school or long-term care facility, should be tested.
• Patients where confirmation is desired because of special circumstances should be tested. (Please note circumstances on the test request form when submitting to SHL.)
• ILINet Sentinel Providers (designated by IDPH): Submit specimens on patients with ILI per IDPH guidelines.

The influenza vaccine is not 100 percent effective, so health care providers and laboratorians may encounter an ILI patient who has been vaccinated. This could be due to influenza or to infection with other viruses that also cause flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for your support of influenza surveillance in Iowa.

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