Quest Diagnostics has Released the First Commercial Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus) Test

Quest Diagnostics has just released a test that can screen for the swine flu virus (H1N1).

“With the availability of the Focus Diagnostics Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) RNA Real-Time RT-PCR Test, physicians will be able to submit patient specimens that are found to be positive for Influenza virus type A through testing performed by a Quest Diagnostics’ regional laboratory or other private clinical laboratory to Focus Diagnostics’ reference laboratory for novel H1N1 laboratory testing. A physician that believes a patient is at high risk of novel H1N1 infection may order the new Focus Diagnostics test to aid the diagnosis of Influenza virus type A infection, including the novel H1N1 virus. Focus Diagnostics would also submit those test specimens found to be positive as well as the test results to the appropriate public health authorities, as required by local public health guidelines.”

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