On Tuesday, April 24, the Stanislaus County Public Health Laboratory has arranged an Open House to celebrate 50 years of Public Health Laboratory services and present new PCR testing capability.

“The PCR molecular technology enables us to identify the Influenza virus and its subtypes within several hours,” stated Stephen Willis, Laboratory Director. “This has already been used to identify the causative agent of an outbreak in Stanislaus County and is a tremendous asset to our Public Health Lab.”

During the H1N1 pandemic, Public Health laboratories with PCR capabilities were overwhelmed with specimens and 1-2 week delays for results were not uncommon. Having this capability within Stanislaus County allows the Public Health lab to perform rapid testing for Influenza A and B. Additional testing capability for Norovirus and Pertussis will be available in the very near future.

The PCR equipment was purchased through federal grant funds to enhance infectious disease detection. Tours of the lab and testing information will be

available.

Tour date is Tuesday, April 24 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Public Health Services, 820 Scenic Drive, Modesto.

Laboratory artifacts and antiques will be on display. Tours of the lab are scheduled for 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.