New Respiratory Viruses, Pertussis and Measles Swab Collection Media

RED = Respiratory Virus (e.g. Influenza, RSV)

GREEN = General Virus (e.g. HSV, VZV)

Why the change to RED?

A national shortage of the green MWE ViroCult swab means an alternative liquid based collection and transport swab for molecular Influenza, RSV, Pertussis and Measles testing. The alternative swab is the RED cap Copan UTM (Universal Transport Medium) collection set.

It should be noted that the UTM collection kit packaging indicates it can be used for a variety of other tests, but it will ONLY be used for the tests indicated above. For all general virus testing (e.g. HSV, VZV) you MUST still use the green ViroCult collection kit.

What does the new swab look like?

The Copan UTM swab is identical to the green MWE ViroCult swab in physical dimensions. The differences are the RED screw cap, RED liquid, branding, and the required nasopharyngeal swab in the kit.

What does this mean for you?

For Respiratory Viruses, Pertussis and Measles testing you MUST now use the RED Copan UTM tube.

How long will we have RED UTM tubes?

This is a permanent change effective immediately to the RED Copan UTM collection kit.

Please ensure all existing stock of green nasopharyngeal viral swabs are used before changing to the RED cap Copan UTM (Universal Transport Medium) collection set.