Measles Virus PCR

• PRIOR CONSULTATION REQUIRED. 
• REQUESTED THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH EPIDEMIOLOGY ONLY.  
• Contact CEDEP prior to submission.

Patient Preparation

• None

• Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab transferred to 1-3mL of viral transport medium.

• Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match Lab Web Portal submission documentation.

• None

• Refrigerated: 2–8°C, acceptable ≤5 days from collection
• Frozen: Acceptable if frozen at ≤-70°C any time after collection; required if stored or submitted ≥6 days from collection.

• Ship measles PCR specimens individually, in their own insulated shipping container.
• Refrigerated: Transport specimens with cold packs to maintain a temperature between 2 - 8°C.
• Frozen specimens should be sent on Dry Ice.
• All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 

• Unsatisfactory specimens include, but may not be limited to:

- The specimen was broken or leaked in transit

- No specimen was in the container submitted

- Improper specimen type submitted

- Specimens received at improper temperature

- Specimens received without documentation of consultation.

• Nashville