Ebola Virus
Lab test instructions for Ebola Virus
Diseases
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Organisms
Ebola virus
Test Method
PCR
Availability
- All clients must consult with the Section of Epidemiology for approval before testing
- If approved by Epidemiology, Contact ASPHL Biothreat Team before submitting samples
Specimen type
Minimum of two tubes whole blood (4 mL draw required per tube)
Specimen collection instructions
EDTA or sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) preservative in plastic tubes
Storage and transport
- 2-8°C ship on wet ice or cold packs
- Package, label, and ship as UN2814 Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans, Category A
- Ship as quickly as possible
Ship to Alaska State Public Health Laboratory: Anchorage, ATTN: Special Pathogens
Results
- Ebola RNA detected
- Ebola RNA not detected
A normal result is not detected.
Turnaround time
- 1 day for testing result
- If patient is tested less than 3 days after the onset of fever, retesting at 72 hours post-onset may be required
