Due to limitations in arbovirus testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wadsworth Center’s Viral Encephalitis Laboratory, Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory and Arbovirus Laboratory have been under federal contract since April to provide diagnostic testing for patients across the United States.
To date, specimens from 71 patients have been submitted for comprehensive screening by PCR and serology (including the detection of neutralizing antibodies) for a wide panel of pathogens, including Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile virus, Powassan, Heartland, Bourbon, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Cache Valley, Jamestown Canyon, La Crosse, Oropouche, Zika, and Yellow Fever viruses. Testing has identified 21 confirmed infections across eight states.
The relevance of this work continues to grow as climate change drives the expansion of mosquito and tick vectors into New York and other northern regions. Local transmission of arboviruses is increasing, highlighted most recently by the locally acquired case of Chikungunya in Long Island. As a result, demand for Wadsworth’s specialized testing is expected to increase.
The Wadsworth Center remains committed to supporting national surveillance efforts and ensuring timely, high-quality diagnostics for emerging and re-emerging arboviral threats.