Skip to main content

Health Advisory: Influenza Testing among Persons with Respiratory Illness During Periods of Low Influenza Virus Circulation

The Situation Report | July 7, 2025

The Department of Health has issued an advisory to provide guidance on the surveillance and detection of novel influenza A viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1), in patients hospitalized with severe respiratory illness or seeking outpatient care for respiratory illness during periods of low influenza virus circulation, and instructions for the submission of specimens to Wadsworth Center Virology Laboratory.

  • In response to the ongoing global outbreak of HPAI A(H5N1), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging year-round testing for influenza among persons with respiratory illness in hospital and outpatient settings.
  • The New York State Department of Health (the Department) recommends subtyping of all positive detections of influenza A virus.
  • When collecting histories from patients with respiratory symptoms, clinicians are encouraged to screen patients regarding their exposures to poultry, wild birds, dairy cattle, swine, domesticated cats, raw animal products, and agricultural fairs.
  • The Department and the CDC request that respiratory samples from persons hospitalized with laboratory confirmed influenza A, particularly patients receiving intensive care unit (ICU) level care, be promptly forwarded to the Wadsworth Center Virology Laboratory for additional testing, including subtyping, whole genome sequencing, and antiviral resistance testing.
  • Additionally, in the outpatient setting for persons with laboratory confirmed influenza A reporting high risk exposures, the Department requests that respiratory samples be forwarded promptly to the Wadsworth Center Virology Laboratory for additional testing, including subtyping, whole genome sequencing, and antiviral resistance testing.
  • DOH indicates that laboratories, hospitals, and outpatient clinical providers should recognize that adherence to recommendations for influenza testing, including routine subtyping, and sample submission are important steps for detection of human infections with novel influenza A viruses including HPAI A(H5N1), especially during the summer when influenza testing may not be routine.
  • If you suspect a patient has a novel influenza A virus infection based on an influenza A positive laboratory result in combination with clinical history and exposures, immediately contact the New York State Department of Health at 518-473-4439 or 1-866-881-2809 after hours and the local health department (LHD) where the patient resides. For cases residing in New York City, please call provider access line at 1-866-692-3641.