Specimen Collection, Storage, and Shipment
Refer to this table when you collect, store, and ship specimens. Before sending specimens to CDC, please contact your state or local health department, then email soberste@cdc.gov and cburns@cdc.gov for additional information and to provide shipment details.
Specimen Type
Stool
Collect in sterile container, do not add transport medium
| Minimum Amount | ≥1 gram |
| Storage | Freeze at -20°C |
| Shipping | Ship on dry ice |
| Comments | Highest likelihood of virus isolation |
Serum
Collect in sterile container
| Minimum Amount | 0.2 ml |
| Storage | Freeze at -20°C |
| Shipping | Ship on dry ice |
| Comments | May be helpful in supporting diagnosis, but not usually as primary specimen |
Respiratory – Nasopharyngeal/Oropharyngeal swab
Store in viral transport medium
| Minimum Amount | 1 mL |
| Storage | Freeze at -20°C |
| Shipping | Ship on dry ice |
Cerebrospinal fluid
Collect in sterile container, no medium required; do not dilute
| Minimum Amount | 0.2 ml |
| Storage | Freeze at -20°C |
| Shipping | Ship on dry ice |
Page last reviewed: October 25, 2019
Content source: Global Immunization
