West Nile Virus Molecular Panel

The WNV molecular panel consists of 10 plasma samples for nucleic acid testing and is distributed annually in May.

• Determination of assigned value: The assigned value is determined through pre-testing by VBZD using in-house WNV screening and confirmatory real-time PCR assays, targeting both WNV lineage 1 and 2.
• Evaluation of performance: Binomial determination (positive/negative) based on correct determination of the presence of WNV.
• Report distribution: Panel results are distributed directly back to clients ~1 month after panel distribution; clients do not send results directly back to VBZD.
  

An external quality assurance panel for the molecular detection of West Nile Virus nucleic acid by RT-PCR.

None

Provincial and regional public health laboratories or hospital laboratories that provide testing for West Nile virus in mosquito samples.  This may include laboratories from academia or the private sector that are conducting testing on behalf of provincial or regional public health laboratories.

Participants are assigned alphanumeric codes which anonymizes their identity. Participant’s contact information and results are not shared among the group.

Submit your request to: nml.vbz-lnm.mvz@phac-aspc.gc.ca