Ebola Information- State Hygienic Lab - The University of Iowa

The State Hygienic Laboratory of Iowa has been certified to perform the Department of Defense Emergency Use Authorization RT-PCR assay for Ebola virus (EV). Testing for EV will only be considered in a person who has both consistent clinical symptoms and risk factors as follows:

Clinical criteria, which include fever of greater than 100.4° F or 38.0° C, or other compatible symptoms such as severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained hemorrhage.

AND

Epidemiologic risk factors sustained within 21 days before the onset of symptoms, such as contact with blood or other body fluids of a patient known to have or suspected to have EV; travel to an area where EV transmission is active (currently Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Mali); participation in funeral rituals, or direct handling of bats or nonhuman primates from disease-endemic areas.

Inquiries regarding suspect Ebola virus cases should be directed to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) at (515) 281-7689 or toll-free at 1-866-227-9878 during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or after normal business hours at (515) 323-4360. (Iowa State Patrol will answer.) Testing for Ebola virus infection MUST be approved by IDPH and the CDC. Prior to submission of any specimen for testing, the Iowa Department of Publich Health, the SHL, and the CDC will have a conference call to determine if testing is necessary. Patient information- such as severity of illness, travel history, possible exposure, etc.- will be reviewed.

Specimens must be accompanied by the following forms:

Information for Medical Professionals
	Lab Procedures for Ebola Specimens When determining what actions or procedures to incorporate into your laboratory, it is important to determine ahead of time what measures should be in place to safely protect staff while providing care for the patient. Packaging and Shipping of Suspect Ebola specimens to the CDC Suspect Ebola patient specimens will be delivered to the SHL (Coralville facility). The SHL will test one specimen, and if necessary, send the second specimen to CDC for confirmatory testing
	CDC Guidance for Health Care Providers This guidance explains the biosafety requirements for collection and routine testing of specimens for staff working in laboratory and health care settings.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
	Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease) Tightened Guidance for U.S. Health Care Workers on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Ebola How U.S. Clinical Laboratories Can Safely Manage Specimens from Persons Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease Caring for Suspect or Confirmed Patients with Ebola Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. hospitals Ebola Virus Disease Information for Clinicians in U.S. Health Care Settings Safe Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. Hospitals Interim Guidance for Specimen Collection, Transport, Testing, and Submission for Persons Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease in the United States.