National Influenza Centre is a surveillance laboratory established in 2014 by the Ministry of Health to monitor Influenza trends, emerging, re-emerging and circulating strains of Influenza virus. The NIC receives and processes flu samples from 8 selected county referral hospitals (Kakamega, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Marsabit, Kakuma refugee camp, Dadaab refugee camp and Kenyatta National Hospital).

Mandate

  • To monitor the trends of influenza viruses (severe acute respiratory infections) in the country and circulating strains or outbreak and responds to it.
  • To detect any emerging or re-emerging strains of severe acute respiratory infection
  • To provide in-country laboratory leadership in WHO’s global influenza surveillance and response system
  • To provide technical support to national flu vaccination program
  • Plays a key role in public research that informs decision making in the Ministry of Health
  • To provide technical support to national vaccination programmes

Laboratory test menu

TestWalk-in/Referral serviceFree/chargeableExpected TAT
Influenza A molecular testingReferralFree 5days
Influenza B molecular testingReferralFree 5days
Influenza A subtypingReferralFree 2days
Influenza B lineagesReferralFree 2days
Covid 19 PCR testingReferral/ walk-inFree24 hours
Cell cultureReferralFree7 days

The laboratory tests respiratory viruses in case of an outbreak and results are delivered within 12-24 hours. The viruses tested include Parainfluenza 1,2,3 and 4, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Human metapneumovirus, Merscov, Human coronaviruses, Respiratory Syncytial virus and Parvovirus

List of accreditations/licensure

  • ISO- 15189/KENAS
  • 1SO-17043/KENAS
  • NIC CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION/WHO

Contact us

niclabresults@gmail.com