What to know
- CDC offers mosquito and tick pool testing for arbovirus testing to local, state, and territorial health departments (this service is not offered to the public).
- Entomologic specimens that are labeled, packaged, and shipped correctly can be incorporated into the testing workflow quickly and efficiently.
- Proper preparation allows for a faster return of results.
Training video
The American Society for Microbiology and CDC prepared a video on How to Ship Entomological Specimens for Arbovirus Testing.
Spotlight
The video demonstrates how to properly prepare and ship entomological specimens to CDC. Detailed instructions follow.
Please follow your organization’s safety guidance on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with mosquitoes or ticks.
How to prepare tubes
Steps to take
- Sort mosquitoes or ticks directly into the tubes.These tubes will be used for shipping so that testing lab staff do not take time transferring specimens into new tubes after your shipment arrives. CDC recommends using Axygen 2.0 milliliter MaxyClear snaplock microtubes. Add one metal BB to each tube as you sort the pools.
- Use one of the following methods to label tubes.a) Affix thin cryovial labels to the side of the tubes. Do not use thick labels or tape, as these may need to be removed and the tubes relabeled before inserting them into a homogenizer at the testing laboratory. b) Label the lid of each tube with a permanent marker.
The labeling format can be as simple as a tube ID number that corresponds with the comprehensive data found in the datasheet you prepared when sorting, identifying, and pooling specimens.
Once your tubes are correctly prepared and labeled, prepare your sample boxes.
How to prepare sample boxes
Steps to take
- Place tubes in numerical order into an appropriate box.This could be a white cardboard freezer box with dividers or a plastic tube box.
- Do not put loose tubes into a plastic bag.It takes a lot of time to get these back in order at the testing facility.
- Do not wrap the tube lids in plastic or parafilm.Make sure the lids are completely closed before placing tubes into the box.
- Mark the box where the first tube sits and draw an arrow to show the direction of numbered tubes.For example, you may load the box from the top left to bottom right or from the bottom left to top right.
- Seal the box with tape or a tight rubber band.Secure the lid during shipment. You can also place the box in a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet. Excessive packaging is not necessary and can be time-consuming for testing lab staff to remove.
- Label the box with your organization's name, the date, and sample numbers.Include box numbers if you are shipping multiple boxes. The testing lab likely receives multiple boxes from different submitters, and packages may not be unpacked and placed into a holding freezer by the same lab staff who performs testing. Labeling the outside of the box ensures efficient organization and identification of your samples amongst other submissions.
- Place the boxes into a negative 80-degree or negative 20-degree Celsius freezer.Keep samples cold until you’re ready to ship them.
How to prepare shipping container
Steps to take
- Use a shipping container specifically designed to ship cold materials.Use either dry ice* or blue ice packs at the bottom of the container to keep specimens cold. Dry ice is the preferred method for keeping shipments cold. CDC recommends 5 pounds of dry ice for every 24 hours the package will be in transit. You may need to make adjustments based on weather.
- Place samples in the shipping container.Include a printed copy of your datasheet inside a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet.
- Pack samples to prevent damage.Ideally, your container will be large enough to hold boxes and the appropriate amount of ice, but small enough that there's not a lot of extra space. Fill any empty spaces with newspaper or other packaging material to prevent sample boxes from moving during shipment.