Who May Submit Specimens

State health departments and other federal agencies may submit specimens for reference testing to CDC. All specimen submissions to CDC must have approval by the individual state health department, unless participating in special studies or surveillance projects.

Private citizens, health practitioners and hospitals must contact their local (city or county) health department to submit specimens. If the local health department is unable to make a determination on where and how to submit a specimen, they will forward the specimen to their state health department.

State and Local Health Departments

State and Territorial Public Health Officials 

State and Territorial Public Health Laboratories