Specimen Submission Information

State Health Departments

Review the following guidelines and use the following forms to submit specimens to CDC. Forms are available below or by calling the EOC at 770-488-7100. Forms are offered in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) format.

U.S. Physicians

Contact your state health department before sending specimens to CDC. For links to state health departments visit the State Health Departments page.

Non U.S. Physicians

Because of the hazard associated with handling specimens, testing is done only with prior consultation.

Private Citizens

Individuals, other than physicians or appropriate state health department employees, may not submit specimens to CDC for testing. If you feel that diagnostic testing is necessary, consult your physician or state health department.

Specimens are only accepted with prior consultation. For consultation call the EOC at 770-488-7100.

Guidelines for Submitting Specimens to the Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB)

PCR/Virus Isolation

The following specimen types may be submitted:

• Preferred: whole blood (purple, yellow, or blue top tube), fresh frozen tissue. Serum can also be used if only sample available.

Serology

The following specimen types may be submitted:

• Serum or whole blood drawn near admission with clots removed from red top tube
• Convalescent serum drawn approximately 21 days after first specimen

Specimen packaging requirements:

• Minimum volume: 4ml
• Serum samples must be shipped with a cold pack, or on dry ice in a plastic tube.
• Clots and acute blood for virus isolation must be sent on dry ice in a plastic tube.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

The following types of formalin-fixed or paraffin-embedded tissues may be submitted:

• Lung, kidney, and spleen tissues are preferred.
• Other tissues that may be sent include lymph nodes, heart, pancreas, pituitary, brain, or liver.

Specimen packaging requirements:

• Paraffin blocks are preferred, particularly if death was not recent.
• If paraffin blocks are not available, formalin-fixed tissues may be sent.
• Ship paraffin blocks or formalin-fixed tissue at room temperature–do not freeze.
• An autopsy or surgical report must accompany the specimen.

Suspect Ebola Specific Notes

1. Hospitals should follow their state and/or local health department procedures for notification and consultation for Ebola testing requests and prior to contacting CDC.
2. NO specimens will be accepted without prior consultation. For consultation call the EOC at 770-488-7100.
3. Contact your state and/or local health department and CDC to determine the proper category for shipment based on clinical history and risk assessment by CDC. State guidelines may differ and state or local health departments should be consulted prior to shipping.
4. Email tracking number to EOCEVENT246@CDC.GOV.
5. Do not ship for weekend delivery unless instructed by CDC.
6. Ship to:
   
   

   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   ATTN STAT LAB: VSPB, UNIT #70
   1600 Clifton Road NE
   Atlanta, GA 30333
   Phone 770-488-7100

7. Include the following information: your name, the patient’s name, test(s) requested, date of collection, laboratory or accession number, and the type of specimen being shipped.
8. Include the CDC Infectious Disease (CDC Form 50.34) and [PDF – 2 pages] specimen submission forms.
9. On the outside of the box, specify how the specimen should be stored: refrigerated or frozen.

NOTES

1. NO specimens accepted without prior consultation. For consultation call the EOC at 770-488-7100.
2. Send specimens by overnight courier (Federal Express preferred) and fax airway bill number and packing list to VSPB at (404) 639-1509 or (404) 639-1118. International submitter should consider direct shipment with an airline to expedite arrival at CDC.
3. Do not freeze glass tubes.
4. Package in accordance with I.A.T.A. regulations to prevent leakage. Here are two useful links for information on these regulations:
   • While this site does not publish all regulations, information about them is posted at International Air Transport Association (I.A.T.A.) under “Products and Services”.
   • Office of Health and Safety, Biosafety Branch (OHS) at CDC, Packaging and Shipping of Biomedical Material
5. Label sample as diagnostic specimen and include the following information: your name, the patient’s name, test(s) requested, date of collection, laboratory or accession number, and the type of specimen being shipped, a specimen submission form, and a case report form (for hantavirus testing only). On the outside of the box, specify how the specimen should be stored: refrigerated, frozen, or do not refrigerate.
6. Subsequent shipments from outbreaks may require U.S. Public Health Service permits.
7. Priority testing will be performed only after consultation with CDC where it is determined that it is indicated.

Specimen Submission Form

Download the form below. Fill it out and include it with your specimen(s). The form here is available only in PDF format. If you need a copy faxed to you, please call (404) 639-1510.

Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB) Specimen Submission Form [PDF – 435 KB].

Specimen Submission Form for non-human primates specimens

Download the Primate Testing Form [PDF – 557 KB] . Follow instructions described on the form. Save a copy for you and include another copy with the specimen. The form is available only in PDF format and blank forms may be printed and filled by hand. Please call 404-639-1115 during business hours (9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST) for a consultation or questions. Forms may also be sent via FAX to 404-639-1118 or 404-639-1509.