Influenza Virus Submission Procedures for Physicians and Laboratories Not Enrolled in the Influenza Sentinel Program
The Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) will provide collections kits and prepaid shipping containers upon request from a physician or laboratory. Physicians and laboratories may use their own collection kits and mailers if they do not have BOL supplies on hand. Collect a nasal, nasopharyngeal, or throat specimen using a standard viral culturette or a sterile swab placed in viral transport medium. Fill out a Specimen Submission Form completely. Age, county of residence, sex and date of collection are required. Put the patient name/ID on the specimen. Please ensure that the identification information on the specimen tube is identical to the information filled on the form. . Wrap the specimen with absorbent material, e.g., paper towels, and place it into the main compartment of the biohazard bag (one per bag) then seal the zip-lock. Place the Specimen Submission Form into the outer slot of the bag.
Viral Testing Respiratory Swab Collection and Shipping Instructions
CAUTION: Temperature is checked upon receipt. From the time of collection until receipt, specimens must be maintained at ≤8 °C for up to 72 hours or ≤0 °C if held for more than 72 hours. Failure to meet these conditions will result in immediate rejection.
Ship specimens to:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Bureau of Laboratories
110 Pickering Way
Exton, PA 19341-1310
Please print your return address on the label.
If you have any questions, please contact Hephzibah Tagaram at 484-870-6380, or by e-mail at htagaram@pa.gov