Surveillance for the 2023-2024 influenza season officially begins on October 1, 2023. Receiving the first positive influenza specimens in the state is important in determining the circulating strains and prevalence, and the Montana Public Health Laboratory (MTPHL) also shares these specimens with the Centers for Disease Control for further characterization and anti-viral resistance testing. We have already confirmed some early cases of Influenza A and Influenza B in Montana, indicating the possibility of a busy influenza season!
This season we will be conducting influenza surveillance similar to last year. We are asking select clinical laboratory partners that perform molecular testing for influenza to report their total test numbers, and the number of positives, over a secure website. These data will be aggregated and reported in the DPHHS Communicable Disease Update on a weekly basis. These molecular laboratories should be receiving more information about this reporting in the next few days.
In addition to the molecular data, fourteen (14) hospital laboratories have been geographically selected to submit two (2) specimens per week for fee-waived surveillance testing, even if they have been confirmed by molecular methods. This surveillance allows for geographic monitoring of the circulating strains of influenza, as well as further characterization and anti-viral resistance trends in our state.
Five (5) fee-waived tests are also being offered to thirty- three (33) additional clinical laboratories from various geographic locations to be used at their discretion. These fee-waived tests are to be used to confirm the presence of circulating Influenza virus in their patient population, such as confirmation of rapid test positive specimens and confirmation of Influenza-like Illness (ILI).
In addition to our laboratory surveillance, the DPHHS Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDEpi) section works with Sentinel providers who report, on a weekly basis, the number of patients seen with ILI. These Sentinel providers are also offered five (5) fee-waived tests to use at their discretion.
If your laboratory does not fall into any of the categories mentioned above and your jurisdiction has not had any confirmed Influenza cases, the MTPHL will perform up to three fee-waived influenza tests for your jurisdiction to confirm rapid-positive specimens through the month of October only.
Suspected clusters/outbreaks or special circumstances surrounding ILI should be reported to MT DPHHS-CDEpi (406-444-0273) and special arrangements may be made for testing. All requested surveillance testing other than from the designated laboratories and Sentinel providers must have a CDEpi consult before acceptance for testing. A respiratory panel (Inf A, Inf B, COVID, RSV) is also available for surveillance on a case-by-case basis determined by our CD-EPI section.
When submitting specimens for testing to the MTPHL, please do not submit specimens for testing that are the residual from rapid tests. Specimens must be collected into universal or viral transport media and shipped in a cold condition. Also, please use the online portal for ordering your surveillance test request. The designated surveillance laboratories should have already received information on submission process. If you have any questions, please contact MTPHL at 1-800-821-7284
For more information surrounding designated surveillance sites, specimen collection, diagnostic testing, and surveillance testing for Influenza, please visit the MTPHL website at: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/LaboratoryServices/GuidanceDocumentsforSampleSubmission
For more information about influenza activity in the United States during the influenza season, visit the Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report (FluView): www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm
Thank you for helping make a successful Influenza Surveillance Program for Montana!!!