CARPHA puts a time frame on the receipt of blood samples for Zika testing

Regional Health Ministries have been told that Zika blood samples for lab confirmation must be taken and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) no more than five days from the onset of the first sign and/or symptom.

Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr. James Hospedales explained that CARPHA uses molecular tests for laboratory confirmation of the Zika virus infection.

Dr Hospedales explained that samples collected, sent and received after the 5-day period may not be valid for PCR testing. However, since dengue and chikungunya are still circulating in the Region and the symptoms are similar, CARPHA routinely tests all samples for these three (3) diseases.

CARPHA is one of only two laboratories in the English-speaking Caribbean that has the technical capacity to accurately test for Zika virus, and the Agency continues to work on offering additional testing methods that are valid beyond five days.

Local transmission of the Zika virus has been reported in 45 Caribbean and Latin American States, with almost all CARPHA member states having confirmed cases.

In countries, where local transmission has already been confirmed, there is no need for everyone to be tested. In light of this, only persons who are in ‘high risk’ categories, namely, pregnant women, children under the age of 5 years, adults over 65 years, hospitalised patients and persons with co-morbidities (with chronic illnesses), will be tested.

CARPHA does not accept samples directly from the public, nor does it draw a person’s blood. Therefore, persons exhibiting symptoms of Zika such as fever, rash, red eyes, muscle pains and joint pains, should visit their health care provider. In countries where local transmission has not yet been established, CARPHA will continue to receive and test samples from the national referral laboratories in member states.

In Trinidad and Tobago, where CARPHA is headquartered, all samples from that country must be sent to the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL), which is Trinidad and Tobago’s national reference lab.