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