Influenza virus continues to be responsible for widespread respiratory disease, death, and significant economic loss despite global vaccination and eradication programs. This is of particular concern in light of recent outbreaks of avian influenza, particularly H5N1 in humans, H1N1, and the recent Ebola outbreak that have dramatically increased the awareness of vulnerabilities as a result of naturally occurring pandemic influenza with a particularly virulent strain or the introduction of a novel virus either naturally or intentionally.

A portable detection device providing an accurate and rapid diagnosis, within less than 30 minutes, would be an invaluable tool in combating influenza pandemics. The additional capability of strain-specific identification and reliable diagnosis technique for influenza virus in a wide range of applications would help to contain pandemic spreading of these viruses by providing invaluable input into vaccination and treatment strategies worldwide. An immediate diagnosis of influenza in patients with febrile illness will facilitate timely administration of antivirals and appropriate isolation and quarantine measures to protect the public, healthcare workers, and first responders.

Moreover, the ability to rapidly distinguish between bacterial and viral infections during a pandemic or normal day-to-day medical care, will decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics and help to curtail the exponential increase in antimicrobial resistant pathogens. We are developing a complete set of biomarkers for our Rapid Influenza Detection System (RIDS) for use in a field setting, austere medical facility during a rapidly escalating mass casualty public health event.