Norovirus PCR

Testing site      

Alaska State Virology Laboratory (ASLV) - Fairbanks 

Fairbanks Lab Request Form

Diseases 

• Noro 
• Norovirus 
• Norwalk-like disease 
• Epidemic viral gastroenteropathy 

Organisms 

• Norovirus 
• Norwalk-like virus 

Test Method 

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 

Availability

Testing will only be completed for outbreak situations.  Contact Section of Epidemiology for approval. 

Specimen type 

• Collect at least 5 mL of raw stool, vomit, or emesis in sterile container.  
• Specimens submitted in universal transport media (UTM) will be rejected.   

Specimen collection instructions 

Supply Request Form

1. Section of Epidemiology will determine the number of specimens that need to be collected (usually 4-6). 
2. Collection should begin as soon as symptoms appear, ideally within 48-72 hours of onset. 

Raw stool collection procedure

• Gather the required supplies.  
  • Disposable gloves  
  • A clean, dry container (like a margarine tub) or plastic wrap to stretch across the toilet to collect the stool.  
  • Specimen container(s): Your provider will give you a sterile container. 
  • Pen or marker to label the specimen containers. 
• Wash your hands before collecting the stool sample.  
  • Do not pass the specimen into the toilet.  
  • Do not pass the specimen directly into the collection vial.  
  • Do not urinate on the specimen or into the collection vial.  
  • Do not allow any water to mix with the specimen.  
• Put on gloves. Stool may contain pathogens that spread disease.  
• Pass stool into a clean, dry container. You can stretch plastic wrap loosely across the toilet bowl, between the seat and the base to catch the stool.  
  • Either solid or liquid stool can be collected.  
  • Samples from babies and young children may be collected from diapers lined with plastic wrap (if the stool is not contaminated with urine).  
• Carefully open the sterile specimen container and transfer 10-50mL of specimen.  As little as 5mL is acceptable. Do not overfill the container.  
• Screw the cap tightly. 
• Remove your gloves and wash your hands.  
• Label all the containers with the patient’s first and last name, date of birth, and the collection date.  
• Return the transport containers as directed. Make certain that specimen containers are tightly capped to avoid leaks. 

Storage and transport  

Store refrigerated at 2-8°C.  Ship with cool packs. 

• Specimen containers should be individually sealed and bagged with the appropriate amount of absorbent material (roughly two paper towels per 50 mL). 
• Paperwork should be separated from the specimen. 
• Specimens should be packaged and labeled as UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B. 
• Shipped in an insulated, waterproof shipping container with cool packs. 

Ship to: Fairbanks Public Health Laboratory, ATTN: Clinical Virology   

Note: Food, water or environmental samples are not tested. Please refer any further questions to the Alaska State Virology Laboratory – Fairbanks 

Results  

Norovirus: Detected (Genogroup I or II) / Target Not Detected 

A normal result is not detected. 

Turnaround time  

2-7 days 

Resources