State Hygienic Lab News

Christmas/New Years 2025 Holiday Hours

Wednesday, December 10, 2025
All three State Hygienic Lab locations (Coralville, Ankeny, and Lakeside) are closed on the following days in observance of Christmas and New Years: • Thursday, December 25 • Friday, December 26 • Thursday, January 1

New Influenza SARS-CoV-2 RSV Test is Now Available

Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) is now performing a new Influenza SARS-CoV-2 RSV by Real-Time PCR test for the 2025-2026 Iowa respiratory virus surveillance season.

Updates to Testing for Legionella in Cooling Towers and Legionella Clinical Specimens Testing

Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The State Hygienic Laboratory has updated the process for both the Testing for Legionella in Cooling Towers and Legionella Clinical Specimens Testing. For more details see the following attachments.

Newborn Screening Lysosomal Storage Disorder Test Changes

Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa (SHL) is introducing changes to the Lysosomal Storage Disorder test on the newborn screening panel on August 1st.

Updated Process for Clinical Specimen Temperature Tracking

Friday, June 20, 2025
Effective July 1, 2025, to comply with the CLIA requirements for maintaining clinical specimen temperature during transport and upon receipt, SHL will verify that specimens are arriving to the laboratory at the temperature requirements stated.

Discontinue Distribution of COVID-19 Test Kits

Thursday, April 10, 2025
Effective April 9, 2025, Test Iowa will no longer distribute COVID-19 test kits. SHL will continue to process any previously distributed kits until Friday, April 18, 2025.

Increased Rabies Fee

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Posted on Jan 30, 2025. Effective February 10, 2025 the State Hygienic Laboratory will increase the fee for non-human exposure rabies testing to $50 per specimen.