Laboratory-based virology weekly report - 2021 Week 24
Summary
The laboratory-based surveillance for influenza and common respiratory viruses is carried out all-yeararound by the NZ virus laboratory network consisting of the WHO National Influenza Centre (NIC) at ESR and six hospital laboratories in Auckland (2), Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. This laboratory network tests specimens ordered by clinicians for hospital inpatients and outpatients during normal clinical practice (serving ~70% of the NZ population). Sample collection is based on clinician’s judgement, rather than systematic sampling approach. In addition, this laboratory network also conducts testing for public health surveillance including SARI, ILI and WellKiwis (i.e. SHIVERS) cohort surveillance. The below Tables and Figure show the weekly influenza and common noninfluenza viruses reported from the laboratory network in 2021.