U.S. government regulators have approved a new genetic test for the influenza virus that will allow laboratories to identify flu strains within a few hours. Federal health officials said the timesaving test could be key if a deadly new strain emerges. Currently, tests take three to four days for results. The new test also could help doctors make better treatment decisions during a busy flu season. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the test on Tuesday. Government health laboratories are expected this autumn to begin using the test, which was developed by another federal agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
