05/25/2023: Lab Advisory: Guidance for Marburg Virus Disease Specimen Testing
Audience: Clinical Laboratories
Level: Laboratory Advisory
The risk of travel-associated Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the United States is very low. MVD is similar to other illnesses associated with viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), such as Ebola virus disease. Because the likelihood of MVD is very low, patients with symptoms should be tested and treated accordingly for other more likely conditions.
Clinical laboratories can safely perform routine diagnostic testing by following Standard Precautions for All Patient Care and the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
If testing for MVD is needed, CDC and the jurisdictional health department (24-Hour Epi-On-Call Contact Lists) will provide guidance and instructions on specimen collection and shipping to a public health laboratory that is part of the Laboratory Response Network.
If public health laboratory testing determines a diagnosis of MVD, clinical teams should coordinate with their jurisdictional health officials (24-Hour Epi-On-Call Contact Lists) and CDC to ensure appropriate precautions are taken to help prevent the potential spread and coordinate care.
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Resources
- CDC Health Alert Network (HAN)
- CDC Marburg Virus Disease Website
- Guidance for Collection, Transport and Submission of Specimens for Marburgvirus Testing
- Guidance for U.S. Hospitals and Clinical Laboratories on Performing Routine Diagnostic Testing for Patients with Suspected Marburg Virus Disease
- Department of Transportation Transporting Infectious Substances Overview
- Department of Transportation Transporting Infectious Substances Safely
- eCFR :: 49 CFR 173.196 — Category A infectious substances
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)
Office of Laboratory Science and Safety (OLSS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)