The respiraSC2-FluA/B seqc real time RT-PCR Kit is an assay for the detection of RNA of the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus (Flu A and Flu B), extracted from biological specimens.
2 Pathogen Information
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain within the Sarbecoviruses that has been previously identified in humans and causes the pulmonary disease COVID-19 [1, 2, 3].
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known Coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Influenza Viruses belong to the family of Orthomyxoviridae and are the causative agent of ‘the flu’. Influenza A and B viruses have a single stranded RNA genome, consisting of 8 RNA segments.