Quest Diagnostics, headquartered in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, is the largest clinical lab in the United States and they have created a new screening test to detect the Avian Flu.
That means we now have a rapid way to find out if a person is sick with “regular flu” or the more deadly Avian Flu. The test uses gene based screening that will identify the H5N1 strain of Influenza A virus (the Avian Flu) via respiratory (lungs, breathing, etc.) samples from sputum (spit, mucus, etc.), swabs and bronchial washes.
Thanks for keeping us updated David.
You’re welcome, Robin. This is fantastic news because we finally have a way to identify and treat people sick with the Avian Flu and it helps us try to prevent an Outbreak.
a “pandemic”
I’ve been very worried about it lately…
I think you’re wise to worry, suzanne! Did you get your flu shot yet?