Home
HelpMonkeypox Virus
Icon & Photos
BBL CultureSwab EZ II
Specimen Requirements
Collection Packets are available in the Laboratory if needed.
NOTE: Please DO NOT ship specimens until you receive approval and have received an ODRS ID.
To request approval for testing at the ODHL, complete the 2022 MPX Testing Approval Form: https://odhredcap.odh.ohio.gov/surveys/?s=AYNJL9M3TYE9N7WW Additional details on procedures are available within the form. General steps include:
• Collect 4 swabs for preliminary and confirmatory testing as follows:
o Collect 2 swabs at a single lesion site (duplicate specimen from same site); each swab should be labeled with the collection site.
o Collect and label 2 additional duplicate swabs from a separate lesion site, preferably from a different location on the body and/or from lesions with differing appearances.
• Vigorously swab or brush lesion with separate sterile dry polyester, Dacron, or Rayon swab with a plastic, wood, or thin aluminum shaft. Do not use other types of swabs.
• Place each swab in a separate sterile container. Do not add or store in viral or universal transport media.
• Two samples (one from each different lesion site) will be tested at ODHL. The remaining 2 specimens will be shipped to CDC for further characterization, if needed.
Specimen Stability
• Specimens should be stored frozen within one (1) hour of collection. Freezing specimens at −20°C or lower is strongly recommended as frozen specimens may be tested for up to 60 days after collection. Frozen specimens should be delivered to ODHL within 10 days from collection and should be shipped on dry ice.
• If freezing specimens is not possible, specimens can only be stored at 2-8°C for up to seven (7) days prior to testing. Refrigerated specimens need to be delivered to ODHL within two (2) days from collection and should be shipped with ice packs.
o This will allow time for testing at ODHL and samples to be shipped to CDC for further characterization, if needed, within the 7-day 2-8°C storage condition limit.
• Be mindful of the outside temperatures and ensure plenty of dry ice or ice packs are included.
• An ODH Microbiology Submission form must be enclosed in the package with the specimen. The form must contain the ODRS ID provided by ODH or the local health district.
• Specimens can be received at ODHL Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm unless special arrangements have been made. Approved samples that arrive before 11:00 am will be tested the same day. Samples that arrive after 11:00 am will be tested the next business day.
Ordering Guidance
Healthcare providers who suspect monkeypox due to clinical presentation and patient history should report to the appropriate local health department based on the patient’s address. Local health departments should notify ODH via the Class A Disease line, 614-722-7221, to report the suspect case and coordinate testing. The Class A Disease line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When reporting a suspect case of monkeypox, please have the patient’s clinical, travel, and social histories. Pictures of the rash are helpful but not required. A conference call will occur with a representative from the CDC Emergency Operations Center. Participants on the conference call should include representatives from the submitting facility, ODH Bureau of Infectious Diseases, ODH Laboratory (ODHL), and the local public health department.
If it is determined that specimen testing is indicated, please follow these instructions for collecting, handling and shipping