Specimen Collection Information

General Information – read this first!

Specimen ordering
  • Specimens submitted to Public Health Laboratory (PHL) will not be tested until the patient is reported to Public Health.
  • The electronically fillable forms below must be used to submit specimens to PHL (hand-written forms will not be accepted).
  • Due to the similarity of the lab forms, please carefully select the correct form for the specific disease and specimen source.
  • All fields highlighted in red are required.
  • Please include a copy of the form with the specimen.

Specimen labeling
  • Specimens must be labeled with at least 2 patient identifiers: Last and First Name, Date of Birth or Medical Record Number. These patient identifiers must match the information completed on the accompanying lab form.

Specimen storage and transport
  • Once the forms have been completed and the specimens collected, please contact the PHL courier at 562-658-1460 (weekdays from 8:00am – 5:00pm) to arrange for the specimens to be picked up from your facility.
  • All specimens should be stored at 4°C until pick-up.

Reporting and technical assistance
To report measles and mumps and for technical assistance with specimen collection or completion of forms, contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program (formerly Immunization Program):


  • Weekdays: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm call: 213-351-7800.
  • After hours call: 213-974-1234.

The fax number for reporting mumps is 213-351-2782 (note measles must be reported by phone).

Do not wait for laboratory results before reporting to Public Health.


Measles Specimen Collection

Measles Toolkit
Image of child with Measles
    Test requisition forms
     
    • Serum - Measles IgG and IgM
    • Serum IgG only for immunity testing of asymptomatic patients
    • Throat Swab - PCR

    • Urine - PCR
Patients who reside in Los Angeles County and are suspected to have measles must be reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health immediately by telephone.

Mumps Specimen Collection
Image of child with Mumps
    Test requisition forms

    • Serum - Mumps IgG and IgM
Patients who reside in Los Angeles County and are suspected to have mumps must be reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as soon as possible by submitting the
Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) Form or by phone.


Content last updated: June 28, 2019

    

 
Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
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