ODH Seeks Provider Participation in Summer Flu Surveillance

July 10, 2026

The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases is seeking support from health care providers to strengthen summer influenza viral surveillance.

Health care providers are being asked to work with their local health department during the summer months to coordinate submission of specimens that are positive for influenza A or B on RT-PCR or rapid molecular tests to the ODH Public Health Laboratory for confirmatory testing and subtyping.

If testing volume is such that submitting all positives is prohibitive, it is recommended that providers prioritize submission of specimens from severely ill patients (e.g., hospitalized patients, including ICU patients). If feasible, submitting specimens for surveillance testing of influenza positive emergency department patients and other outpatients is recommended.

This increased influenza surveillance will continue through Sept. 30, 2026.

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