• The ZstatFlu™ rapid influenza test makes real-time flu surveillance possible.
• The National Flu Surveillance Network (NFSN) provides real-time information about the prevalence of flu throughout the U.S.
• Information from the NFSN can be accessed at www.fluwatch.com.
• The NFSN is looking for physicians like you to set up new surveillance sites.

ZymeTx, the maker of the ZstatFlu™ influenza test, is looking for physicians across the country to become official sites for influenza disease surveillance as part of the National Flu Surveillance Network (NFSN). The new 20-minute ZstatFlu test for influenza A and B makes it possible to answer the critical question, "Is flu present in my practice now?" This knowledge makes comprehensive influenza management possible.

The ZstatFlu test takes the guesswork out of diagnosing influenza and allows you to take control of influenza management. It is now possible to diagnose flu early, begin antiviral therapy and protect your patients by preventing influenza-related complications - complications that lead to hospitalization (over 1 million bed days), 20,000-40,000 deaths, and healthcare costs of $1,400,000,000 per year.

By agreeing to do surveillance for your city, you become part of NFSN, a real-time influenza surveillance network, and help your community become Flu Smart™. The ZstatFlu diagnostic test provides the link between prevention (vaccination) and therapy (antivirals). Influenza vaccine and antivirals have been around for years, but they have not been brought together to form a comprehensive influenza disease management program - until now.

Information from the real-time NFSN is accessible to everyone via a special web page, www.fluwatch.com. The national map on this site has each community's flu surveillance information posted daily, so timely reporting can become the basis of comprehensive flu management. Patients at high risk for complications can be protected from the beginning of flu season until the end, not just during the 3-4 week peak of the flu season.

Surveillance site practices agree to test at least one patient with flu-like symptoms each week in October, 2-3 patients each week in November, and 3-5 patients each week in December. When your first positive result occurs, increase the frequency of the test until you have two positives in one week. You then know flu has arrived in your practice. The day this occurs, notify us, and we will post your city's flu activity to our web site (www.fluwatch.com). New activity will be broadcast to your city's media and, if you choose, you can become a flu spokesperson for your community. ZymeTx will give you a 20 test kit case and the required heat block after you purchase a package of 10 test kits. All start-up materials will be provided to you as an official surveillance site. If your site provides surveillance reports regularly, you will be eligible to purchase additional kits at a discounted price (please note that this offer is not available to distributors). ZstatFlu tests are reimbursable (avg. $35 under CPT 86710).

Participation in NFSN will do your community a real medical service, give you media recognition and protect your vulnerable high-risk patients.

For more information about becoming an NFSN surveillance site, e-mail Lee Youngblood at youngblood@zymetx.com.