Quest Diagnostics introduces testing for Oropouche virus

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) launched a new diagnostic laboratory test for the Oropouche virus, an emerging disease that is increasingly found in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Oropouche virus is an emerging virus in the Americas that is spread to people by infected biting midges and some mosquito species. While the current threat to the public in North America remains low, Oropouche virus has been reported in parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean, with the majority of infected individuals becoming symptomatic. Cases reported in the United States have been limited to travelers returning from countries with local transmission. Oropouche viral disease presents clinically with symptoms that overlap with those of other arboviral diseases such as Dengue, Zika and chikungunya. The test will be available with a prescription from a provider for clinical purposes at the end of the month. Quest’s laboratory in San Juan Capistrano, California, developed and will perform the test. In September 2024, Quest Diagnostics was awarded several contracts by the CDC to support testing and sustained laboratory readiness for emerging infectious diseases, including the development of diagnostics to aid the detection of Oropouche virus.