Tennessee State Lab Assists Texas with Testing of Possible H1N1 Virus Cases

NASHVILLE – In the spirit of the Volunteer State, the Tennessee Department of Health state laboratory is assisting Texas public health authorities with testing a backlog of samples from their patients who may be infected with the new H1N1 flu virus. Tennessee’s public health labs have already begun testing an initial submission of 400 samples from Texas, in addition to samples taken from Tennessee patients.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this assistance to our fellow public health workers in Texas,” said State Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “This is an international health issue, not one that’s isolated to any single state, and the more quickly we can identify cases, the more we will all learn about the virus and the better we can respond to help slow its spread.”

Tennessee’s public health lab system includes the central location in Nashville, regional labs in Knoxville and Jackson, and a partnership agreement with the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department Laboratory. The central lab has been able to maintain and stay current with all Tennessee demands for H1N1 specimen testing, in addition to other routine activities. To date, more than 560 specimens submitted from Tennessee residents have been tested. The regional labs are providing support to Texas.

State health officials in Texas sent a message last week to all states reporting a backlog of more than 3,500 specimens from suspected cases of the H1N1 virus, and a lack of capacity for testing. Tennessee responded with an offer of assistance, and is receiving 200 Texas specimens at each of its regional labs. Once testing is complete, state health officials will evaluate the expansion of this support.

“We are working diligently to process and test all the samples we receive, and are monitoring the progression of this outbreak in order to prepare for future testing needs,” said David L. Smalley, Ph.D., MSS, BCLD, Tennessee public health laboratory director.

Tennessee’s public health labs are now equipped to do confirmatory testing of specimens of suspected cases of the H1N1 virus, and no longer have to submit samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. Both Tennessee and Texas samples are tested using the same procedures, so Texas results from Tennessee’s labs are also final.

The Tennessee Department of Health is conducting active surveillance to determine how widespread the virus is in Tennessee. To date, 36 confirmed cases have been identified statewide. All Tennessee patients are recovering from the illness and have a good prognosis. The Tennessee Department of Health is working with local public health officials to identify and provide antiviral medication to the patients’ family and close contacts. Anyone identified as a close contact of a patient will be notified by the Department.

The Department of Health reminds Tennesseans of their role in responding to this outbreak of illness. Anyone who thinks he or she may be ill with the flu should stay home from work and/or school and contact their health care provider. Children who have symptoms of flu-like illness should be kept home from school and/or daycare. Symptoms of the illness are as follows: fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

The Department of Health recommends frequent hand washing with warm soapy water, keeping hands away from your face, eyes and mouth, and covering coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue. These precautions can also help prevent the spread of other illnesses including the common cold.

For more information about the current flu outbreak, visit the Department of Health Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/H1N1.htm. Additional information is also available at the CDC’s Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.