Pretorian Labs to Test Human Patients for H5N1 (Bird Flu)

CLEVELAND, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pretorian Labs, LLC. is one of the first laboratories in the US to test human patients for H5N1 virus (Bird Flu). This test is now available to all providers and facilities nationally who are existing or new clients of Pretorian Labs. "Ohio leads the nation in poultry losses as the bird flu continues to spike. As a full-service laboratory based in Ohio, it's logical for us to have the capability to test for this virus on our human patients," said Carmen Melillo, Chief Executive Officer of Pretorian Labs. "We have the capacity to handle any volume to serve our clients and their patients".

About H5N1- H5N1 is part of the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b. The H5N1 bird flu virus is a subtype of the influenza A virus that infects birds and mammals. This variant of the virus first emerged in 1996 in southern China. H5N1 is most often contracted by individuals touching bedding, feed, or water contaminated with waste from infected animals, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Additionally, the virus can be contracted by breathing in contaminated aerosolized droplets or dust. Although there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission to date, empirical evidence suggests that slight mutations in the pathogen would allow for transmission via respiratory droplets. Symptoms begin within two to eight days and can mimic the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath may occur. H5N1 carries a high mortality rate in humans.

About Pretorian Labs- Pretorian Labs, LLC. is an independent reference laboratory founded in 2023. The company currently has two laboratories in Ohio and Illinois and is actively expanding throughout the Great Lakes region. Pretorian Labs, LLC. is the only Ohio based laboratory that provides LCMS Toxicology, Infectious Disease, Anatomic Pathology, and Hematology/Chemistry in house. Pretorian Labs has over 60 full-time employees and is CAP, COLA and CLIA certified. Our mission always stands on three pillars: Automation with industry best turnaround times, Accuracy with leading scientists and physicians and Accountability using white glove customer service. 
Learn more at https://birdflu.pretorianlabs.com. or email inquiries to: [email protected]

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SOURCE Pretorian Labs