WESTBROOK, Maine, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEXX Laboratories,
Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX) today announced that the company has developed,
validated and made available a new test for the detection of H3N2
canine influenza virus. An avian-origin H3N2 strain identified in
Asia around 2006 was determined to
be the cause of a recent widespread canine influenza outbreak in
the Chicago area. This highly
contagious strain had previously been reported only in Asia but is now spreading among the dog
population in the U.S. The IDEXX RealPCR Laboratory recently
confirmed cases in the following states: Alabama, California, Texas, New
York, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana, in addition to the outbreak in the
Chicago area.
As soon as the H3N2 strain was reported in the U.S., IDEXX
invested in research and development and in less than four
weeks produced and validated a test to detect the H3N2 strain. The
new H3N2 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test allows rapid, reliable and
specific testing for the strain responsible for the outbreak. IDEXX
has added the H3N2 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test to existing IDEXX
Comprehensive Canine Respiratory Disease (CRD) RealPCR panels at no
additional cost to customers. The H3N2 test is also available as a
stand-alone test.
"The rapid development of the H3N2 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test
underscores our industry-leading investment in pet health
innovation and demonstrates that diagnostics are central to pet
health care and veterinary medicine," said Jonathan W. Ayers, president and chief executive
officer of IDEXX Laboratories. "The test will dramatically increase
the speed and accuracy of H3N2 influenza diagnosis in the United States. We're adding it to all
Comprehensive Canine Respiratory Disease (CRD) RealPCR panels
offered by IDEXX Reference Laboratories in order to help contain
this highly contagious disease and as part of our commitment to
helping pets live long, happy lives."
H3N2 influenza causes cough, fever, lack of appetite, weight
loss and interstitial pneumonia and can be fatal. The signs of this
illness in dogs are cough, runny nose and fever; however, some dogs
are asymptomatic. Canine influenza also can impact cats.
"In response to the H3N2 outbreak, our team of infectious
disease specialists mobilized, developed and validated a new test
in less than one month, specifically for identifying H3N2," said
Christian Leutenegger, DrVetMed,
PhD, FHV, head of PCR molecular diagnostics at IDEXX Reference
Laboratories. "We have developed an accurate diagnostic for this
canine influenza strain to ensure that veterinary practices across
the country are equipped with the tools they need to provide the
best possible care to their patients and to help contain this
outbreak and keep it from spreading further in the United States."
For more information on the H3N2 test for canine influenza,
visit https://www.idexx.com/canineh3n2.
About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
IDEXX Laboratories,
Inc. is a leader in pet health-care innovation, serving practicing
veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and
information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products
enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical
care, improve staff efficiency and to build more economically
successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing
livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and tests for the quality
and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than
6,000 people and offers products to customers in more than 175
countries.
IDEXX Laboratories
Media Relations
Elizabeth Hunt
207-556-4650
elizabeth-hunt@idexx.com
MSLGROUP
781-684-0770
idexx@mslgroup.com
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141028/155219LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idexx-launches-canine-influenza-test-targeting-h3n2-in-response-to-outbreak-300079102.html
SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.