06/29/2022: Lab Update: CDC Updates Guidance on Laboratory Biosafety, Waste Disposal, and Preparation and Collection of Mpox Specimens
Audience: Laboratory Professionals
Level: Laboratory Update
On Friday, June 24, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control updated the Laboratory Procedures and Biosafety Guidelines page and the Preparation and Collection of Specimens page for Mpox Virus.
The updated Laboratory Procedures and Biosafety Guidelines page provides in-depth biosafety guidance for laboratory personnel and includes information about manipulating diagnostic specimens, culture-based testing, waste disposal, and more.
The updated Preparation and Collection of Specimens page clarifies that laboratory personnel may use any type of synthetic swab (including, but not limited to polyester, nylon, or Dacron). Do not use cotton swabs.
Please review both the Laboratory Procedures and Biosafety Guidelines page and the Preparation and Collection of Specimens page in detail for more information.
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Online resources:
- Mpox Information for Laboratory Personnel
- Mpox Information for Healthcare Professionals
- U.S. Mpox 2022: Situation Summary
- Real-time PCR assays for the specific detection of mpox virus West African and Congo Basin strain DNA
- Detection of mpox virus with real-time PCR assay
Questions?
- If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
- For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
- For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.
Thank you,
The Laboratory Outreach Communication System
Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)
Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)