Specimen Collection and Testing for MERS-CoV

For patients with clinical suspicion of MERS-CoV, please call MDH at 651-201-5414, or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414, to obtain testing approval and consultation on specimen collection.

On this page:
Appropriate Specimen Types and Specimen Collection
Infection Control for Specimen Collection
Specimen Submission Forms
Shipping to MDH-PHL 
Other Influenza lab information
 

Appropriate specimen types and specimen collection

For patients with clinical suspicion of MERS-CoV, please call MDH at 651-201-5414, or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414, to obtain testing approval and consultation on specimen collection.

CDC recommends the collection of specimens from lower respiratory tract and upper respiratory tract.  At a minimum, MDH recommends the collection of at least one respiratory specimen (upper or lower).

• Lower respiratory specimens
  • Sputum
  • Broncheoalveolar lavage
  • Bronchial wash
  • Tracheal aspirate
  • Pleural fluid
• Upper respiratory specimens
  • Nasopharyngeal swab and oralpharyngeal swab (NP/OP swab)
  • Instructions for collecting NP/OP swab: 
    1. Use only synthetic fiber swabs with plastic shafts. 
    2. Do not use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts.
    3. Place swab into a sterile tube containing 2-3ml of viral transport media.
    4. NP/OP specimens need to be combined, placing both swabs in the same vial.
     
• CDC: Diagnostic Testing for MERS
  Information about specimen collection. 
   

Infection Control For Specimen Collection

• CDC: Prevention and Control for Hospitalized MERS Patients
  Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for confirmed, probable or cases under investigation. Update, Case Definitions, and Guidance.

Specimen submission forms

• Infectious Disease Laboratory Submission Form (PDF)
  Submission forms and guidance documents are available at Forms for the Infectious Disease Laboratory.
   

Shipping to MDH-PHL

• Contact MDH for approval before sending specimens for a suspect case.
  • Providers should call MDH at 651-201-5414 or toll-free at 1-877-676-5414 before sending specimens for suspect cases.
  • Do not submit specimens for a suspect case without prior approval from MDH.
• Refrigerate specimen until shipping.

Questions?

• For an MDH epidemiologist, call 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.
• During business hours you can call the virology supervisor at 651-201-5255.