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Prior to specimen submission, contact PHO’s Laboratory Customer Service Centre at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 for further instructions and approval.

Complete all fields of the PHO’s General Test Requisition Form, including:

1. Tests requested (Avian Influenza, COVID-19 PCR, and Multiplex Respiratory Virus PCR/MRVP) and reason for test
2. Patient setting, specimen types and sites
3. Outbreak investigation number ONT-2022-00001
4. Travel history, exposure history and clinical information (see special instructions section below)

Label the specimen container(s) with the patient’s first and last name, date of collection, and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

The following specimens should be collected on all patients being tested for avian influenza:

1. respiratory tract samples (e.g., nasopharyngeal (NP) swab plus bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) when possible); lung tissue if obtained (e.g. biopsy, post-mortem)
2. a viral throat swab in viral transport media should also be collected on all hospitalized patients.

Sample types other than nasopharyngeal swabs, nasopharyngeal aspirates, bronchial washes (if available) or throat swabs require approval by a PHO microbiologist.

Swabs from potentially infected anatomical sites, such as conjunctival swabs from patients with conjunctivitis and potential occupational exposure, should be approved before submission.

Stool and blood are not routinely tested for avian influenza but may be tested if avian influenza is detected in respiratory specimens. Submission requires approval of a PHO microbiologist.

Serology testing is not recommended for influenza diagnosis, including avian influenza, and is not available for clinical testing in Canada.

Testing may be arranged on weekends if approved by a PHO microbiologist. Contact the After-hours Emergency Duty Officer at 416-605-3113 for after-hours consultation.