Recommendations for Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus
Testing and Reporting ā 2021ā2022
The official start of the 2021ā2022 influenza season is October 3, 2021. This California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance for local health jurisdictions (LHJs) summarizes diagnostic testing guidelines and influenza reporting requirements for the 2021ā2022 influenza season (October 3, 2021āOctober 1, 2022). Please note that some respiratory viruses are circulating outside of their typical seasonal pattern. For example, RSV activity has been elevated during summer 2021. Consider testing for RSV and other respiratory viruses in patients with respiratory symptoms, especially those who test negative for COVID-19.
I. HIGHLIGHTS
Continue mandatory reporting of laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated fatal pediatric cases <18 years by using CalREDIE or faxing the
Severe Influenza Case History Form (PDF) to
510-620-3949.
- Continue mandatory reporting of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated fatal cases in children 0ā4 years of age by using CalREDIE or faxing the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Death Form (PDF) to 510-620-3949.
- Report acute respiratory outbreaks as soon as possible by using CalREDIE or faxing the Acute Respiratory Illness Outbreak Form (PDF) to 510-620-3949, prioritizing the following situations below. Please note that acute respiratory outbreak reporting instructions in this guidance do not apply to COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Outbreaks in institutions/congregate settings (e.g., long-term care facilities, prisons, overnight camps) with at least one case of laboratory-confirmed influenza in the setting of a cluster (ā„2 cases) of influenza like illness (ILI)* within a 72-hour period.
- Outbreaks assessed as having public health importance (e.g., case(s) that have recent exposure to swine, recent travel to an area where novel influenza is circulating, or contact with a confirmed case of variant or novel influenza; or outbreaks associated with hospitalizations or fatalities).
Laboratory testing with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is the preferred testing method when there is strong clinical suspicion of influenza, even if the rapid test is negative. Rapid influenza tests may vary in terms of sensitivity and specificity, when compared with rRT-PCR, with sensitivities ranging from approximately 50ā70%; false positives are common when influenza prevalence is low and false negatives can occur when influenza prevalence is high. Encourage influenza testing, by rRT-PCR, in the situations listed below:
- Hospitalized, intensive care unit (ICU), and/or fatal cases with ILI
- Acute respiratory outbreaks
- ILI in any person where history of travel, or recent close contacts, or exposures within 10 days of symptom onset suggests concern for variant or novel influenza infection (e.g., variant influenza A (H3N2)v, (H1N2)v, or (H1N1)v, or avian influenza H5N1 or H7N9). For additional information see:
II. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
- Influenza rRT-PCR testing is available at CDPH-VRDL and at 23 RLN public health laboratories.
- Upper respiratory samples suitable for rRT-PCR include: nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, nasal swabs, throat swabs, nasal aspirate, nasal washes, NP wash, and NP aspirate. For patients hospitalized with pneumonia, specimens from the lower respiratory tract should also be obtained. Lower respiratory tract samples suitable for rRT-PCR include: bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial wash, tracheal aspirate, and lung tissue.
- Swab specimens should be collected using swabs with a synthetic tip (e.g., polyester or DacronĀ®) and an aluminum or plastic shaft. Swabs with cotton tips and wooden shafts are NOT recommended. Specimens collected with swabs made of calcium alginate are NOT acceptable.
- Place appropriate swab specimen in a standard container with 2ā3 ml of viral transport media (VTM) or universal transport media (UTM).
Specimens should be collected within the first 24ā72 hours of onset of symptoms and no later than 5 days after onset of symptoms. The specimens should be kept refrigerated at 4Ā°C and sent on cold packs if they can be received by the laboratory within 3 days of the date collected. If samples cannot be received by the laboratory within 3 days, they should be frozen at -70Ā°C or below and shipped on dry ice. The CDPH-VRDL is able to receive specimens Monday through Friday.
A. Recommendations for RLN laboratories
- During the 2021ā2022 influenza season, RLN laboratories are advised to continue broadened surveillance testing for:
- ILI cases, especially for hospitalized, ICU, and fatal cases
- Outbreaks of acute respiratory illness
- Cases where history of travel, or recent close contacts, or exposures within 10 days of symptom onset suggests concern for variant or novel influenza infection (e.g., variant influenza A (H3N2)v, (H1N2)v, or (H1N1)v, or avian influenza H5N1 or H7N9), as indicated above.
- To detect novel and possible reassorted viruses, it is important that PHLs NOT batch test influenza specimens and that a full rRT-PCR subtyping panel (Inf A, H3, pdm Inf A, and pdm H1) is used to determine the subtype. Typical seasonal influenza testing results are shown below:
Influenza real-time RT-PCR results for seasonal influenza viruses
A/H1 2009 pdm virus+
| POSā
| āNEG
| POSā
| āPOS
|
A/H3 seasonal virusā | POSā
| POSā
| NEGā
| āNEG
|
Batching of specimens for influenza A subtyping is NOT recommended because this may delay the detection of a novel virus and is counter to the aim of having PHLs perform influenza subtyping testing.
INCONCLUSIVE specimens with rRT-PCR test results that meet any of the following criteria should be reported and submitted to CDPH-VRDL for further characterization as soon as possible (contact Hugo Guevara at 510-248-9855):
Unsubtypable results: with cycle threshold (Ct) value for Flu A ā¤ 35
Inconclusive results: for Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus with Flu A Ct ā¤ 35
Co-Infections: specimens with results suggesting the presence of more than one influenza virus (co-infections)
Suspect variant (swine origin) results: specimens with results suggestive of variant influenza
Influenza real-time RT-PCR results suggestive of variant (swine origin) influenza virus
ā A/H1 variant virus
| āPOS
| āNEG
| āPOS
| āNEG
|
āA/H3 variant virus
| āPOS
| āPOS
| āPOS
| āNEG
|
- RLN laboratories should refer to the VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal form and Influenza Reference Examination Form for instructions on submission of specimens for further characterization at CDPH-VRDL.
- For severe ILI cases or respiratory outbreak specimens that test NEGATIVE by rRT-PCR for both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, the VRDL will accept specimens for further non-influenza respiratory virus testing. Please use the VRDL General Purpose Specimen Submittal form (PDF). Please be sure to complete this form online (one form per specimen) and then print out the filled-in form(s) to include with specimen(s). If you have questions, please call VRDL at 510-307-8585.
- Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 Testing: The CDC developed an emergency use authorization (EUA)-approved rRT-PCR multiplex assay that simultaneously detects influenza A, influenza B, and SARS-CoV-2 (Flu SC2). The CDC has proposed different scenarios in which state and PHLs may include the Flu SC2 assay in influenza diagnostic or surveillance testing systems. The algorithm includes testing specimens: (1) with no test results for influenza or SARS-CoV-2, (2) for confirmation of rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT), and (3) with negative results for SARS-CoV-2 by a CLIA approved rRT-PCR assay. If a specimen tests positive for influenza A or B, influenza A subtyping or B-lineage genotyping should be completed in a timely manner regardless of the algorithm followed by the PHL.
- Each week please email influenza test results to CDPH at Influenzasurveillance@cdph.ca.gov. A template worksheet will be distributed to all RLN labs in a separate email prior to the start of the influenza season. If possible, please note if test results originate from outpatient, hospitalized, ICU or fatal cases. All influenza testing done in RLN laboratories using the CDC or VRDL influenza assay or the Flu SC2 multi-plex assay should be reported using this template. Specimens tested on both the Flu SC2 multi-plex assay and the CDC or VRDL influenza assay should be reported only once.
- For fatal cases, refer available fresh frozen autopsy tissues to CDPH-VRDL for further testing and histopathologic analysis at CDC. On a case-by-case basis, refer to CDPH-VRDL specimens for antiviral resistance testing (e.g., a patient on treatment with persistently positive influenza PCR results). For consultation on these cases, please contact Hugo Guevara at 510-248-9855.
- Submit samples to CDPH-VRDL for antiviral resistance (AVR) surveillance and strain-typing according to the Influenza RightSize Roadmap sample sizes for your jurisdiction. The sample sizes will be distributed to all RLN labs in a separate document.
- Generally, the CDPH requests the submission of at least one specimen each of laboratory-confirmed positive influenza A subtypes (i.e., H1pdm09 and H3) and one specimen each of laboratory-confirmed positive B-lineage samples (i.e., Victoria B-lineage and Yamagata B-lineage).
- Submit laboratory-confirmed influenza positive specimens to CDPH-VRDL as follows:
At the beginning of the influenza season: submit specimens to VRDL as they are detected in your laboratory; please do NOT batch specimens for a single shipment.
During the peak of the influenza season
At the end of the influenza season
- Additional specimen considerations;
- Ideally, specimens should have a CT of <30 by rRT-PCR and at least 1.0mL of clinical material.
- Please submit two influenza B positive specimens if B-lineage data is not available.
- During the season, the VRDL may contact PHLs requesting the submission of additional influenza positive specimens from specific jurisdictions.
- The VRDL requests SARS-CoV-2 testing status for influenza positive specimens submitted with the Influenza Reference Examination Form (PDF).
B. Laboratory Testing provided by CDPH-VRDL
Testing by CDPH-VRDL will include outpatient ILI specimens submitted by sentinel providers and reference/confirmatory testing as requested by RLN and/or local PHLs. Only specimens submitted by sentinel providers will be tested for SARS-CoV-2. These specimens will be tested using the Flu SC2 multiplex assay.
Due to the current demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing by different EUA rRT-PCR assays and the limited supply of the Flu SC2 multiplex assay, the VRDL will incorporate the latter to test specimens submitted by sentinel providers (outpatient population) and for outbreak investigations.
CDPH-VRDL and CDC will perform surveillance testing for antiviral resistance and strain-typing on the majority of specimens submitted that have been subtyped by RLN laboratories.
- Questions regarding respiratory virus testing at CDPH-VRDL may be directed to Hugo Guevara [Hugo.Guevara@cdph.ca.gov or 510-307-8565 or 510-248-9855 (cell)].
III. REPORTING OF FATAL INFLUENZA CASES
IV. REPORTING OF FATAL RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS CASES
- During the influenza and other respiratory virus surveillance year, LHJs should report laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated fatal cases in children 0ā4 years of age.
- LHJs should report laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated fatal cases to CDPH by using CalREDIE or faxing the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Death Form (PDF) to 510-620-3949. Please upload medical records, laboratory results, and any other relevant materials to the electronic filing cabinet in CalREDIE when available. Please do NOT upload death certificates to the electronic filing cabinet in CalREDIE.
Once the resolution status of an RSV-associated
death is set as āconfirmedā in CalREDIE, it will be included in the state
weekly report.
If you plan on issuing a press release regarding your jurisdiction's RSV-associated death(s), please ensure the case(s) has been reported to the CDPH influenza staff at the CDPH Immunization Branch (i.e., "confirmed" in CalREDIE or paper case report form has been faxed) and also notify the State Press Office (Office of Public Affairs, 916-440-7259) prior to the press release.
- The resolution status should be set to "confirmed" in CalREDIE once the death meets the case definition. If fatal cases reported by your jurisdiction meeting the case definition have a "suspect" status, please confirm them as soon as your investigation permits. This will help us minimize the lag in reporting of fatal cases and allow our official counts in the state weekly report to be consistent with what is being reported by LHJs.
- RSV-associated deaths in children 0ā4 years of
age who are co-infected with COVID-19 should be reported for both conditions.
V. REPORTING OF NON-TB, NON-COVID RESPIRATORY OUTBREAKS
- Please note that acute respiratory outbreak reporting instructions in this guidance do not apply to COVID-19 outbreaks. COVID-19 outbreak information is available in AFL 20-75.1.
- Seasonality of respiratory viruses has varied from the usual pattern since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local health jurisdictions should continue mandatory reporting of any acute respiratory outbreak, no matter when they occur, by using CalREDIE or faxing the Acute Respiratory Illness Outbreak Form (PDF) to 510-620-3949 prioritizing the following situations:
- Outbreaks in institutions/congregate settings (e.g., long-term care facilities, prisons, sleepover camps) with at least one case of laboratory-confirmed influenza in the setting of a cluster (ā„2 cases) of ILI within a 72-hour period.
- Even if it is not influenza season, consider influenza testing when any resident has signs and symptoms that could be due to influenza, and especially when two or more residents develop respiratory illness within 72 hours of each other and testing for SARS-CoV-2 is negative. If SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are negative, submit for testing using a full respiratory viral panel. In high risk settings, consider submitting specimens for a full respiratory viral panel as soon as a SARS-CoV-2 test is negative. Outbreaks of other respiratory viruses occur in long-term care facilities and may be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality that may be reduced by early identification and implementation of recommended infection control precautions.
Outbreaks in a community assessed by the LHJ as having public health importance (e.g., case(s) that have recent exposure to swine, recent travel to an area where novel influenza is circulating, or contact with a confirmed case of variant or novel influenza; or outbreaks associated with hospitalizations or fatalities).
- Once the resolution status of an outbreak is set as "confirmed" in CalREDIE, it will be included in the state weekly report.
- Laboratory
confirmation in outbreak cases can include any positive test performed by any
clinical, commercial, or local PHL, including positive rapid antigen
test, positive direct fluorescence assay, positive viral culture,
or positive PCR test.
- As rapid antigen tests may yield a relatively high proportion of false positive results when influenza prevalence is low and false negative results when influenza prevalence is high, it is recommended that rapid antigen test results be followed up with confirmatory rRT-PCR testing.
For outbreak cases with severe influenza, specimens should be sent for further subtyping/characterization to the local PHL or CDPH-VRDL, to enable CDPH to closely monitor influenza viruses that may be novel or resistant to antiviral
medication.
VI. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE
A. Reporting or Surveillance Questions