Tests to Speed Flu Detection Advance in Development

Article

Tests that may help health care professionals diagnose influenza more quickly and accurately have received support from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is supporting the development of tests that may help health care professionals diagnose influenza more quickly and accurately.

Through 2 contracts with diagnostic device developers, the ASPR is advancing tests that could potentially increase influenza pandemic preparedness by increasing diagnostic capabilities in primary care clinics, hospitals, and other near-patient care settings.

A 3.5-year, $12.9 million contract awarded to Alere Inc. will advance the development of a low-cost molecular test that could determine whether a patient has an infection caused by a seasonal influenza virus within 15 minutes. Another 2-year, $7.9 million contract will allow InDevR Inc. to move forward with a biochip test that could identify seasonal influenza and recognize novel flu viruses within 4 hours. The latter award also includes options to extend the contract up to $14.7 million over 4 years.

“Administering fast and inexpensive tests at the point of care has tangible benefits to personal and public health, particularly in helping doctors prescribe the right therapy immediately,” said Robin Robinson, director of ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, whose office will oversee the development programs. “Prescribing medication or other therapies in a more targeted way is good stewardship and will be critical to reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.”

The ASPR noted the new diagnostic platforms might eventually help health care professionals distinguish viral influenza infections from bacterial ones, which would assist them in choosing the best treatment method, as well as reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. Such improved flu testing would also alert public health officials to community outbreaks of respiratory illness.

Related Videos
Laboratory test tubes and solution with stethoscope background | Image Credit: Shutter2U - stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Andrea Izzotti
Inflation Reduction Act is shown using the text and the US flag - Image credit: Andrii | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacy Interior | Image Credit: Tyler Olson - stock.adobe.com
Male pharmacist selling medications at drugstore to a senior woman customer | Image Credit: Zamrznuti tonovi - stock.adobe.com
Pharmacist assists senior woman in buying medicine in pharmacy - Image credit: Drazen | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacy, medicine and senior woman consulting pharmacist on prescription. Healthcare, shopping and elderly female in consultation with medical worker for medication box, pills or product in store - Image credit: C Daniels/peopleimages.com | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: fidaolga - stock.adobe.com
Pharmacists checking inventory at hospital pharmacy- Image credit: Jacob Lund | stock.adobe.com
Young male pharmacist giving prescription medications to senior female customer in a pharmacy | Image Credit: Zamrznuti tonovi - stock.adobe.com
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.