LabCorp is rolling out a Zika virus test as concerns about the threat mount. Meanwhile, RTI International will host a forum about Zika on Tuesday with Congressman David Price.

LabCorp, which is based in Burlington, announced the availability of the Zika test known as RealStar Zika Virus RT-PCR Kit U.S. on Monday.

The test was created by Altona Diagnostics GmbH. While not formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration, it has received “emergency use authorization.” LabCorp notes the test is to be used “to aid in the diagnosis of Zika virus infection in individuals meeting clinical and/or epidemiological criteria for infection risk established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“The Zika virus is a serious public health threat, and many people are concerned about the risk it presents to them and their families,” said David P. King, LabCorp’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Offering this new Zika virus test aligns with LabCorp’s strategy to deliver world-class diagnostics that provide physicians and patients with information they need to achieve better health outcomes.”

CDC criteria for the test include a recent history of residence in or travel to a geographic region with active Zika virus transmission, including for male sexual partners with such residence or travel history, LabCorp noted.  

Zika virus has already been identified in more than 600 people in the U.S. as of June 1. Zika has been active in several South American and Central American countries over the past year.

“Public health officials anticipate that the U.S. will become an area of active Zika virus transmission this year,” noted Marcia Eisenberg, chief scientific officer for LabCorp Diagnostics.

LabCorp also said that it will report positive results to the CDC and other public health authorities. The FDA requires the disclosure, LabCorp noted.

Zika forum at RTI

On Tuesday, health officials will gather at RTI international in RTP for an update on the Zika threat.

The program, which begins at 10:30 a.m., includes two panel discussions, one of which will be led by Price.

“The discussion will bring together leading researchers and policy makers to examine the science of Zika, the evolving response, research necessary to confront the virus, and childhood development implications,” RTI said in an advisory.

“North Carolina’s public and private sectors have made significant contributions to fight the Zika outbreak. In the Research Triangle Park alone, hundreds of researchers and scientists are racing to produce vaccines and improve detection, public understanding, and treatment of the virus.”

The event is free and open to the public. See details at:

http://www.cvent.com/events/confronting-a-crisis-north-carolina-s-role-in-zika-research-prevention-and-response/event-summary-cef583ab447d4bcb99c35eb89d679c18.aspx

It also will be livestreamed (registration required) at:

https://events7.mediasite.com/Mediasite/Login/Register?ReturnUrl=%2FMediasite%2FPlay%2F80af5613e7bd43ffaf1ab3a798dbb4451d