LOCS Message Level Types

CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System provides recipients with four message types: alerts, advisories, updates, and resources.

Lab Alert

Provides vital, time-sensitive information for a specific incident or situation; warrants immediate action or attention by health officials, laboratory professionals, clinicians, and members of the public; and conveys the highest level of importance.

Lab Advisory

Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; contains recommendations or actionable items to be performed by public health officials, laboratory professionals, and/or clinicians; may not require immediate action.

Lab Update

Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation, or partner news; unlikely to require immediate action.

Lab Resource

Provides updated information about laboratory-related resources (for example, training); unlikely to require immediate action. 

Page last reviewed: April 17, 2019