Test Guide Mobile

Arbovirus
Short Description : Arbovirus Nucleic Acid and Antibody/Antigen Detection

Blood
Test performed by: LabPLUS Virology/Immunology

Appropriate requests

Arbovirus testing will only be performed for requests that are clinically and epidemiologically compatible with recent infection. Valid requests must contain the following clinical details :
- Locations visited
- Date of symptom onset and specific symptoms (including significant co-morbidities and complications: e.g. immunosuppressed/pregnant, haemorrhage, encephalitis, arthritis)
- Date of return to New Zealand
  - Example: '' Travel to Bali, 07 Jan symptom onset with fever and rash, 14 Jan return to NZ''
Requesting individual arbovirus testing is not necessary. Testing will be targeted to detect clinically and epidemiologically compatible arboviruses regardless of arbovirus species detailed on request form.

Inappropriate requests

Arbovirus testing will not be performed on individuals without clinical symptoms consistent with recent arbovirus infection (e.g. asymptomatic pregnant women who have travelled to Zika endemic areas). This is due to antibody cross-reactivity between arboviruses making positive results challenging to interpret.
Arbovirus testing will not be performed on specimens received >14 days after symptom onset as results are unlikely to alter clinical management. Please discuss with Clinical Virology prior to requesting.

Specimen Collection
Both EDTA whole blood and serum are required for arbovirus testing :

Required adult specimens:

4 mL EDTA Whole Blood

AND

3.5 mL SST Serum OR 4 mL Plain Serum

Required paediatric specimens:

500uL Paediatric Micro EDTA Whole Blood

AND

600uL Paediatric Micro SST Serum OR 500uL Paediatric Micro Plain Serum

Additional specimen types may be appropriate for arbovirus testing in specific situations. Please discuss with Clinical Virology prior to sending.

CSF - flavivirus encephalitis
Urine - Zika virus and Dengue virus infection (PCR positivity rate in urine is greater than serum from day 7 onwards after symptom onset)
Amniotic fluid - congenital Zika virus infection

Turnaround Time:
The turnaround time is a median of 4 days

For some viruses PCR or serology may be referred to another laboratory. The turnaround time for these referred tests is variable.

Assay Method
Testing modality is based on testing timeframe:

Valid requests for specimens received 0-7 days after symptom onset (day of symptom onset = day 0) will be tested with arbovirus nucleic acid detection (PCR) and Dengue virus (DENV) NS1 antigen detection (lateral flow immunoassay, LFIA).
Valid requests for specimens received 8-14 days after symptom onset will be tested with arbovirus antibody/antigen detection (serology).

For some viruses, PCR or serology may be referred to another laboratory. The turnaround time for these tests is variable.

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
The available tests include PCR or serology for:

Dengue virus
Chikungunya virus
Zika virus
West Nile Virus / Kunjin Virus
Yellow Fever Virus
Japanese encephalitis virus
Murray Valley encephalitis virus
Ross River Virus
Barmah Forest Virus

Targets are tested based on the clinical information provided and current arbovirus epidemiology

Contact Information
Urgent enquiries

In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).

Non-urgent enquiries

Email: ak-mol-inf-dis@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Last updated at 15:07:06 05/03/2026