Nipah Virus – PCR and Serology
Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR SHIPPING/TRANSPORTATION:
This is a Risk Group 4 pathogen. In accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, shipping clinical specimens suspected of Risk Group 4 pathogens require Category A packaging (section 2.36) and an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) (section 7.2(1)(g)).
Background
This page provides information on PCR and serology testing offered through Public Health Ontario (PHO) for Nipah Virus.
- Nipah Virus is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family1
- Nipah Virus is a zoonotic virus, it can be transmitted from animals to humans via direct contact or through contaminated food. Human to human transmission can occur through respiratory secretions, close physical interaction, or contact with saliva.
Testing for Nipah Virus is performed at the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg. Specimens received by PHO will be forwarded to the NML.
Testing Indications
Testing for Nipah Virus is indicated for individuals with:
- compatible clinical symptoms AND
- relevant travel history (e.g., travel to endemic areas with active cases or outbreaks) AND/OR
- relevant epidemiological exposures (e.g., contact with a confirmed positive case)
PCR testing is the preferred method to detect Nipah Virus infection.2 Testing of asymptomatic individuals is not recommended.
All specimens for Nipah Virus testing require shipment to PHO under the Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP)3 regardless of patient’s clinical status and reason for testing.
Before collecting or submitting a sample, contact PHO’s Laboratory Customer Service Centre at 416-235-6556/1-877-604-4567 or the After-Hours Emergency Duty Officer at 416-605-3113.
Submitters must ensure that a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certified individual is available to arrange shipment of the specimens. PHO’s laboratory will assist with facilitating the ERAP process during shipment.
Acceptance/Rejection Criteria
Specimens will not be tested without prior notification and consultation with a PHO Microbiologist.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
| Nipah Virus PCR | Serum or plasma | 1.5mL serum or blood | Red top, Serum Separator Tubes (SST), EDTA, heparin or citrate | |
| Nipah Virus PCR | CSF, other body fluids | 0.5mL minimum | Sterile 1.5-2.0 mL screw cap tubes | |
| Nipah Virus PCR | Tissues | Fresh frozen, formalin fixed or paraffin-embedded | ||
| Nipah Virus serology | Serum | 0.5 ml serum or blood | Red top or Serum Separator Tubes (SST) |
Submission and Collection Notes
Clearly 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. For additional information see Criteria for Acceptance of Patient Specimens. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Each specimen must be submitted with a separate PHO General Test Requisition, with all required fields completed
It is MANDATORY to provide the clinical information, relevant travel(s), and relevant exposure risk factors. Test requests that are submitted without the appropriate mandatory information will be subject to cancellation.
Testing for Nipah Virus must be discussed with a PHO Microbiologist prior to sample submission.
If additional infectious disease testing is required, Nipah virus tests must be submitted using a separate tube of blood. Notify laboratory staff, both at your local microbiology laboratory and PHO that the patient is under investigation for Nipah Virus.
Due to potential biosafety risks, PHO will not aliquot or perform other testing until Nipah Virus has been ruled out by the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML).
Centrifugation of serum tubes (e.g. SST) is not required and should be avoided.
Limitations
Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbial contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.
Storage and Transport
All requests for Nipah Virus testing require prior approval by PHO. Contact PHO’s Laboratory Customer Service Centre at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 prior to sample collection and submission.
Specimens must be packaged and transported according to Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act/Regulations for Category A pathogens (UN2814 packaging) and require initiation of ERAP. Contact PHO’s Laboratory Customer Service Centre to request assistance in shipping these types of samples.
- For serum separator tubes: centrifugation of serum tubes is not required and should be avoided.
- Place each specimen type in an individual biohazard bag and seal.
- Insert the corresponding requisition in the pocket on the outside of each sealed biohazard bag.
All specimens submitted for molecular testing should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHO on ice packs. If a delay in transport to PHO is anticipated (more than 72 hours), specimens should be frozen (at -80°C if possible) and shipped on dry ice. Avoid freezing whole blood samples.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Testing is performed only upon request.
These are Referred Out Tests. Specimens are referred to the NML in Winnipeg. The TAT for testing will be determined at the time of submission.
Nipah Virus PCR is a validated assay performed at NML. Serology testing is performed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and is a non-routine, investigational test.
Refer to NML- Guide to Services for further information.
Interpretation
All results should be interpreted in the context of the specific clinical scenario. Testing for other potential pathogens should be considered, where applicable.
The presence of Nipah virus RNA detected by PCR, or antibodies detected via serological methods may suggest a recent or past infection.
Reporting
The reporting plan will be communicated to stakeholders at the time of testing.
Results are reported to the physician, authorized health care provider (General O. Reg 45/22, s.18) or submitter as indicated on the requisition.
References
- Public. Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Nipah virus - Canada.ca [Internet]. Canada.ca. 2018 [cited 2026 Jan 30]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/laboratory-biosafety-biosecurity/pathogen-safety-data-sheets-risk-assessment/nipah-virus.html#ref
- World Health Organization. Nipah virus [Internet]. Who.int. World Health Organization: WHO; 2018. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nipah-virus
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