Foreign Traveller Screen (Imported Fever Screen)

Microbiology

Summary

Serological and PCR testing for rare & imported pathogens, testing is determined by travel history and clinical details.

Investigations may include but are not limited to testing for:

Flaviviruses (e.g. Dengue Virus, West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever Virus, Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus, Zika Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus)
Alphaviruses (e.g. Chikungunya Virus, Western/Eastern/Venezualan Equine Encephalitis Virus, Sindbis Virus, Ross River Fever Virus, Mayaro Virus)
Phleboviruses (e.g. Rift Valley Fever Virus, Sandfly Fever: Sicilian Virus, Naples Virus, Toscana Virus, Cyprus Virus)
Rickettsia/Orientia (e.g. Spotted Fever Group, Epidemic Typhus Group, Orientia tsutsugamushi)

Usage

To screen for a cause of fever in a returning traveller due a rare or imported pathogen

Specimen

Blood (serum)

Specimen container

Gold topped clotted ( 5ml) x2

EDTA (pink topped) (5ml)

To Request On EPIC

For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):

Search for: ‘Returning Traveller Screen‘ or test code ‘LAB9221‘

Special Instructions

Please complete the “returning traveller” form and send with request – click here for form

Please refer to the Ambulatory Pathway document on the HUB intranet: “fever in the returning traveller”

Test Usage

Please contact the Consultant Microbiologist if you require these tests. There are potentially many tests available for diagnosis of exotic diseases from patients who have returned from abroad and detailed clinical information is required for best test selection.

Availability

Sent to the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), UKHSA Porton Down

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

Urgent Specimen Instructions

Urgency of testing will be discussed

Useful Links

For Healthcare Professionals

Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL): user manual – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Rare and imported pathogens testing: form to submit sample – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Specimen Labelling Procedure