Kia ora Janice,  

  

Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H2022012955.  

  

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/  

  

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch. 

 

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team 

M[2]inistry of Health information releases 
U[3]nite against COVID-19 

 
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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #20609 email]

Is [Ministry of Health request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests
to Ministry of Health? If so, please contact us using this form:
[4]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[5]https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

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References

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Tēnā koe Janice

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health) on 19 September 2022. Each
part of your request is responded to below. 

 

1. Does the RAT test specifically identify the Covid19 virus with the
exclusion of testing  positive to any other virus or bacteria? 

 

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are designed to specifically identify
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The target antigen for most
RATs is the N protein. This is an essential structural protein for many
RNA viruses, and so it is theoretically possible that other viruses may
cross-react with RATs for SARS-CoV-2. However, the N proteins of
SARS-CoV-2 are quite specific to the coronavirus family and so are
unlikely to cross-react with other viruses. In addition, as part of the
development of RATs, manufacturers provide data outlining tests to check
for cross-reactivity with a range of other viruses and bacteria. More
information is found here: [1]www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/FAQRAT.pdf
. 

 

2. Does the RAT test positive to variants, in particular which variant
with the exclusion of testing positive to any other variant? 

 

RATs do test positive to variants, including Omicron variants of
SARS-CoV-2. However, RATs are not designed to test positive for only one
variant and not others, as the same target antigen is used. More
information about RATs available in Aotearoa New Zealand, including links
to manufacturer websites detailing device performance, is available here:
[2]www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-testing/rapid-antigen-testing-rat#regulatory. 

 

I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the
Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made
under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[3][email address] or by calling 0800 802 602. 

 

Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be
published on the Manatū Hauora website at:
[4]www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-information-act-requests.
 

 

Ngā mihi 

  

OIA Services Team

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

M[5]inistry of Health information releases 
U[6]nite against COVID-19 

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References

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6. https://covid19.govt.nz/