Key points
- Contact your state or local health department for assistance with diagnostic testing.
- Health department can determine if samples should be sent to CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) for testing.
- Arboviral, bacterial, and rickettsial specimens may be considered for further testing.
About vector-borne disease testing
DVBD laboratories provide testing free of charge to approved agencies. DVBD laboratories can perform testing on specimens submitted for vector-borne arboviral, bacterial, and rickettsial pathogens.
Contact your state or local health department for assistance with diagnostic testing. Specimens should be sent through your state or local health department or with their approval.
Final reports of test results are returned to the state or local health department that facilitated testing. They are responsible for providing these reports to the primary submitter.
Submitting specimens
You will need to follow specific submission instructions for each type of specimen. Specimens can be submitted to one of the following DVBD laboratories:
- Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory
- Bacterial Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory
- Dengue Branch Laboratory
- Rickettsial Diagnostic Laboratory
Instructions for each type of specimen
- Specimens for arboviral disease testing
- Specimens for vector-borne bacterial disease testing
- Specimens for dengue testing
- Specimens for rickettsial disease testing
Note: Diagnostic specimens are regulated by the DOT & ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Anyone offering packages for transport containing diagnostic sample must be trained according to these regulations. For more information, please refer to Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Submitting Specimens to CDC.
Resources
Learn how to order reagents for vector-borne disease testing that are not commercially available to state, local, and territorial public health laboratories.
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