Quest Diagnostics Awarded CDC Contracts for H5 Avian Influenza and Oropouche Virus Test Development
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has secured CDC contracts to develop tests for avian influenza and Oropouche virus. The company will introduce a molecular test for avian influenza A H5 virus detection by month-end at its San Juan Capistrano laboratory. The agreements support national preparedness by ensuring commercial laboratory capacity can supplement public health labs during potential outbreaks.
The new H5 test will be available with a prescription for clinical purposes, using respiratory or conjunctiva specimens. While avian influenza is currently widespread in wild birds and causing outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows, the public health risk remains low. The contracts include funding for maintaining testing readiness and necessary supplies.
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) ha ottenuto contratti dal CDC per sviluppare test per l'influenza aviare e il virus Oropouche. L'azienda introdurrà un test molecolare per la rilevazione del virus dell'influenza aviare A H5 entro la fine del mese nel suo laboratorio di San Juan Capistrano. Gli accordi sostengono la preparazione nazionale garantendo che la capacità dei laboratori commerciali possa integrare i laboratori di sanità pubblica durante potenziali focolai.
Il nuovo test H5 sarà disponibile con una prescrizione per scopi clinici, utilizzando campioni respiratori o congiuntivali. Anche se l'influenza aviare è attualmente diffusa tra gli uccelli selvatici e sta causando focolai negli allevamenti di pollame e mucche da latte negli Stati Uniti, il rischio per la salute pubblica rimane basso. I contratti includono finanziamenti per mantenere la prontezza al test e le forniture necessarie.
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) ha asegurado contratos del CDC para desarrollar pruebas para la influenza aviar y el virus Oropouche. La empresa introducirá una prueba molecular para la detección del virus de la influenza aviar A H5 a finales de mes en su laboratorio de San Juan Capistrano. Los acuerdos apoyan la preparación nacional al garantizar que la capacidad de los laboratorios comerciales pueda complementar a los laboratorios de salud pública durante posibles brotes.
La nueva prueba H5 estará disponible con una receta para propósitos clínicos, utilizando muestras respiratorias o de conjuntiva. Aunque la influenza aviar está actualmente extendida entre las aves salvajes y está causando brotes en la ganadería avícola y en las vacas lecheras de EE. UU., el riesgo para la salud pública sigue siendo bajo. Los contratos incluyen financiamiento para mantener la preparación para las pruebas y los suministros necesarios.
퀘스트 진단 (NYSE: DGX)는 조류 인플루엔자와 오로푸치 바이러스에 대한 테스트 개발을 위해 CDC와 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 회사는 샌후안 카피스트라노 실험실에서 A H5 조류 인플루엔자 바이러스 검출을 위한 분자 테스트를 이달 말에 도입할 예정입니다. 이러한 계약은 잠재적인 발병 동안 상업 실험실의 능력이 공공 건강 실험실을 보완할 수 있도록 하여 국가 준비 태세를 지원합니다.
새로운 H5 테스트는 호흡기 또는 결막 샘플을 사용하여 임상 목적을 위한 처방전으로 이용 가능할 것입니다. 현재 조류 인플루엔자는 야생 새들 사이에서 널리 퍼져 있고 미국의 가금류와 젖소에서 발병을 일으키고 있지만, 공공 건강 위험은 여전히 낮습니다. 계약에는 테스트 준비 상태 유지 및 필요한 물품을 위한 자금이 포함됩니다.
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) a obtenu des contrats avec les CDC pour développer des tests pour la grippe aviaire et le virus Oropouche. L'entreprise introduira un test moléculaire pour la détection du virus de la grippe aviaire A H5 d'ici la fin du mois dans son laboratoire de San Juan Capistrano. Les accords soutiennent la préparation nationale en garantissant que la capacité des laboratoires commerciaux peut compléter celle des laboratoires de santé publique lors de potentiels foyers d'infection.
Le nouveau test H5 sera disponible sur ordonnance à des fins cliniques, utilisant des échantillons respiratoires ou conjonctivaux. Bien que la grippe aviaire soit actuellement répandue chez les oiseaux sauvages et provoque des foyers chez le volaille et les vaches laitières aux États-Unis, le risque pour la santé publique demeure faible. Les contrats comprennent un financement pour maintenir la préparation aux tests et les fournitures nécessaires.
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) hat Verträge mit den CDC abgeschlossen, um Tests für Vogelgrippe und Oropouche-Virus zu entwickeln. Das Unternehmen wird bis Ende des Monats einen molekularen Test zur Erkennung des Vogelgrippevirus A H5 in seinem Labor in San Juan Capistrano einführen. Die Vereinbarungen unterstützen die nationale Vorbereitung, indem sie sicherstellen, dass die Kapazität kommerzieller Labore öffentliche Gesundheitslabore während möglicher Ausbrüche ergänzen kann.
Der neue H5-Test wird mit einem Rezept für klinische Zwecke verfügbar sein und verwendet Atemwegs- oder Bindehautproben. Obwohl die Vogelgrippe derzeit bei Wildvögeln verbreitet ist und Ausbrüche bei US-Vögeln und Milchvieh verursacht, bleibt das Risiko für die öffentliche Gesundheit niedrig. Die Verträge umfassen Mittel zur Aufrechterhaltung der Testbereitschaft und notwendiger Vorräte.
- Secured strategic CDC contracts for test development
- Expanding test portfolio with new H5 avian influenza diagnostic
- Gaining additional revenue stream through CDC funding
- None.
Insights
The CDC contracts awarded to Quest Diagnostics represent a significant development in U.S. infectious disease preparedness. The introduction of a commercial H5 avian influenza test is particularly noteworthy as it fills a critical gap in testing infrastructure. Currently, suspected cases require routing through public health laboratories, creating potential bottlenecks. The new test will be available through Quest's extensive laboratory network, dramatically expanding testing capacity.
The timing is strategic, coinciding with increasing H5N1 cases in U.S. poultry and dairy cows. While human cases remain sporadic, Quest's enhanced testing capabilities provide important surveillance infrastructure. The Oropouche virus test development also demonstrates forward-thinking preparation for emerging threats in the Americas.
For investors, these contracts suggest stable revenue streams from government funding and potential increased testing volumes if outbreaks occur. Quest's selection by CDC also reinforces its position as a leading diagnostic provider, potentially leading to future contract opportunities.
Quest to develop laboratory tests and support public health reporting and laboratory readiness for CDC's preparedness strategy; Company to introduce clinical testing for avian flu later this month based on one of the awards
The agreements will support the nation's preparedness for avian influenza and Oropouche viruses by ensuring a national commercial laboratory provider is able to quickly supplement public health laboratories in the event there is an infectious diseases outbreak in people. The contracts also provide funding to enable the company to maintain testing readiness, such as for adequate supplies of certain equipment and chemical reagents used to perform the tests, on a sustained basis.
Quest will introduce an immediate response molecular laboratory test to aid in the detection of avian influenza A H5 virus. The new multi-target molecular diagnostic test is intended for use in people suspected of being infected with influenza A H5 virus. The test will be available with a prescription from a provider for clinical purposes at the end of the month.i Quest's advanced laboratory in
With support from CDC, Quest developed the test as part of our ongoing pandemic response efforts. The test helps detect influenza A H5 virus, including A(H5N1), but does not detect seasonal influenza A subtypes, influenza B or other respiratory viruses. The test is intended to be performed using respiratory or conjunctiva specimens collected from people suspected of being infected with influenza A H5 virus, or who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical and/or epidemiological criteria for testing.ii Quest's patient service centers will not provide specimen collection for the test.
Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus is a subtype of influenza A virus. Quest and many other commercial laboratories provide nationwide testing for influenza A virus, including seasonal virus subtyping, and other respiratory viruses, but not the H5 subtyping needed to identify avian influenza. Today, specimens that test positive for influenza A virus by Quest or another commercial laboratory, and for which the provider has reason to suspect avian influenza, would need to be sent to state/local public health laboratories or CDC for testing to identify an avian influenza virus infection. With the introduction of the new Quest test this month, physicians can now order testing from a national commercial laboratory, increasing access and testing capacity, should testing need increase. Providers would suspect avian influenza virus infection based on the presence of certain flu-like symptoms or exposure to an infected person or animal.
"Emerging diseases like avian influenza require close coordination between the commercial laboratory industry and the CDC and other federal and state agencies to monitor and mobilize a rapid response," said Yuri Fesko, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Quest Diagnostics. "We appreciate CDC's commitment to improving preparedness for any potential future emergencies and the support these contracts will provide to enable us to maintain the infrastructure necessary to act quickly when needed to counteract future health threats."
Avian influenza is currently widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in
CDC has also awarded Quest a contract to develop diagnostics to aid the detection of Oropouche virus, an emerging virus in the
"While the threat of avian influenza and Oropouche virus to the public remains low, we applaud CDC for its forward-thinking approach to ensuring commercial laboratories are prepared to quickly mobilize should a serious threat to human health emerge," said Elizabeth Marlowe, PhD, Executive Scientific Director at Quest Diagnostics.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in
i This test is an Immediate Response test and can only be ordered by a licensed healthcare professional (for prescription use only). This test has not been reviewed or authorized by FDA. It was developed and its analytical performance characteristics determined by Quest Diagnostics pursuant to CLIA regulations for clinical purposes.
ii Case Definitions for Investigations of Human Infection with Avian Influenza A Viruses in
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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
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