Guidance for Collection, Transport and Submission of

Specimens for Ebola Virus Testing in the United States

NOTIFICATION & CONSULTATION

Hospitals should follow their state and/or local health department 

procedures for notification and consultation for Ebola testing requests.

WHEN SPECIMENS SHOULD BE COLLECTED FOR EBOLA TESTING

Ebola virus is detected in blood only after the onset of symptoms, 

usually fever. It may take up to 3 days after symptoms appear for 

the virus to reach detectable levels. Virus is generally detectable 

by real-time RT-PCR from 3-10 days after symptoms appear.

Ideally, specimens should be taken when a symptomatic patient

reports to a healthcare facility and is suspected of having an Ebola 

exposure. However, if the onset of symptoms is <3 days, a later 

specimen may be needed to completely rule-out Ebola virus, 

if the first specimen tests negative. 

PREFERRED SPECIMENS FOR EBOLA TESTING

A minimum volume of 4 milliliters of whole blood preserved with EDTA is preferred for Ebola testing.

Specimens should be 

shipped frozen on dry ice.

Do not submit specimens

in glass containers to CDC.

Do not submit specimens 

preserved in heparin tubes.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR EBOLA VIRUS

Real-time PCR testing for Ebola virus 

is available at over 50 Laboratory Response 

Network (LRN) laboratories located throughout 

the United States. LRN laboratories are 

currently using an FDA-approved Emergency 

Use Authorization (EUA) assay to detect the 

Ebola (Zaire spp.) virus. Samples that test 

positive using this assay are considered 

presumptive positive for Ebola Zaire RNA by 

real time RT-PCR and should be submitted 

to CDC for additional evaluation.

TRANSPORTING SPECIMENS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL / INSTITUTION

In compliance with 29 CFR 1910.1030, specimens should be placed in 

a durable, leak-proof secondary container for transport within a facility. 

To reduce the risk of breakage or leaks, do not use any pneumatic tube 

system for transporting suspected Ebola virus disease specimens. 

PACKAGING & SHIPPING CLINICAL SPECIMENS

Specimens collected for Ebola virus disease testing should 

be packaged and shipped without attempting to open collection 

tubes or aliquot specimens. Specimens for shipment should 

be packaged following the basic triple packaging system which 

consists of a primary container (a sealable specimen container) 

wrapped with absorbent material, secondary container (watertight, 

leak-proof), and an outer shipping package. State guidelines 

may differ and state or local health departments should be 

consulted before shipping.

Ebola virus is classified as a Category A infectious substance by 

the Department of Transportation (DOT). Specimens from persons 

under investigation (PUIs) for Ebola or patients confirmed to have 

Ebola virus infection should be packaged and shipped as Category 

A infectious substances. Packing and shipping Category A 

infectious substances must be performed by persons trained 

and certified in compliance withs DOT or International Air Transport 

Association (IATA) requirements. For guidance on packaging and 

shipping, refer to Guidance for Collection, Transport and Submission 

of Specimens for Ebola Virus Testing in the United States and the 

DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

TRIPLE PACKAGING

SYSTEM

INFORMATION ON SHIPPING & TRACKING IS AVAILABLE AT

www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/healthcare-us/laboratories/index.html CS329137-A