There is disclosed a microarray device for pathogen identification and for subtyping influenza A. Pools of primers are disclosed and used to amplify any subtype of influenza A. Pathogen identification includes influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytal virus, herpes simplex viruses, SARS coronavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus, pan bacteria, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, streptococcus, Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcuspyogenes, Mycoplasmapneumoniae, Chlamydiapneumoniae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and B. anthracis. The probes are preferably selected from the first 500 nt of a gene from the 5′ end. The primers are preferably selected from bases in the 500 to 600 nt range from the 5′ end.