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|
- Safety
- Many of these are highly infectious. Manipulation of specimen
material should be avoided, but if necessary, use Biosafety Level 3
practices.
- If viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) is suspected, notify your
state public health laboratory immediately for evaluation and
referral.
- VHF is a medical and public health emergency even when
criminal activity is not suspected. Diagnosis is made by clinical
findings, confirmed by serologic testing.
- Level A laboratories should not attempt to culture or
perform any diagnostic assays on specimens suspected of containing VHF
agents.
- Responsibility of the Level A Laboratory is limited to
advising medical staff on specimen selection and with packing, shipping
and communication regarding specimens from suspected case.
YOUR STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY MUST BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF
ANY SPECIMENS RECEIVED FROM A PATIENT WHOSE CLINICAL COURSE MATCHES THAT
OF VHF.
| Specimen Selection |
|---|
| Specimen |
Transport Conditions |
Storage Conditions |
| Serum: Collect 10-12 cc of serum (additional specimen handling protocols are still under development). |
~ 2 h / Room Temp |
<= 4°C |
- Contact
- If you suspect the above agent, immediately contact (in the order presented):
- Drs. Lucy DesJardin and Mike Pentella at the University
Hygienic Laboratory. If they aren't readily available, ask for someone in
the Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, or Molecular laboratory.
319.335.4500 or 1.800.421.IOWA(4692)
- University Hygienic Laboratory Duty Officer
319.335.4500 or 319.530.5981
- As a final resort, the following 24-hour emergency hotlines
have been established:
Iowa Public Health Emergency Terrorism/Disaster Notification Hotline
1.866.834.9671
Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Spill Hotline
913.281.0991
CDC Hotline 404.639.2540 or 777.488.7100
National Response Center (oil and chemical spills) 800.424.8802
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