(Information current as of 02/16/2017)
For individuals that meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel or exposure criteria, fee-exempt testing Zika virus testing is available at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) upon approval by a Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) epidemiologist. The most common Zika virus tests approved are the Zika virus IgM antibody assay on serum, the Arbovirus PCR Panel (Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses) on serum, and the Zika virus PCR on urine.
The following information is for Wisconsin clinical and hospital laboratories.
Diagnostic Testing:
- If a physician suspects a case of Zika virus and would like testing performed, please contact the WI Department of Health Services (WDHS) Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section (phone: 608-267-9003). Once WDHS approves testing, they will provide your laboratory with a form that must be completed and accompany the specimen. For more information – https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/zika/lab-testing.htm
- For individuals that meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel or exposure criteria, fee-exempt testing Zika virus testing is available at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) upon approval by a Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) epidemiologist. The most common Zika virus tests approved are the Zika virus IgM antibody assay on serum, the Arbovirus PCR Panel (Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses) on serum, and the Zika virus PCR on urine. NOTE: Specimens testing positive or equivocal for Zika virus IgM will still need to be forwarded to the CDC for confirmatory plaque-reduction neutralization (PRNT) testing because of the significant cross-reactivity between Zika and other Flaviviruses in the MAC ELISA assay. Also, requests for IgM testing for dengue and chikungunya viruses will continue to be sent to CDC.
- Specimen – Instructions for specimen collection and submission are provided at time of testing approval by WDHS.
- Transport – Specimens approved for testing by WDHS may be transported to the WSLH by calling Statmedex for pick-up. Specimens should be triple packaged as a Category B Biological Substance.
- Fee for Service Testing – No fee-for-service testing is being offered at this time. ALL Zika virus test requests must be approved by WDHS by calling 608-267-9003.
Reporting:
Zika virus has been added to the list of notifiable diseases/conditions. The WSLH will report any confirmed cases of Zika virus to WDHS.
Resources:
For information on Zika virus infection:
WI Department of Health Services: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/zika/index.htm
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11585&Itemid=41688&lang=en