08/30/2022: Lab Advisory: Best Practices for Suspected Mpox Lesion Specimen Collection

Audience: Individuals Who Collect Specimens

Level: Laboratory Advisory

CDC has created a new resource (Tips For Adequate Collection of a Lesion Specimen From a Suspect Mpox Virus Case) to optimize lesion specimen collection and improve diagnostic results. Please share this message with the individuals who submit or collect specimens at your facilities:

• Swab lesion specimens vigorously to collect as much human DNA as possible. Specimens that do not contain enough human DNA may lead to inconclusive test results.
• Follow recommended infection prevention and control practices.
• Wear personal protective equipment.
• Prevent sharps injury – do not unroof or aspirate lesions or otherwise use sharp instruments for mpox virus lesion specimen collection.
• Refer to Tips for Adequate Collection of a Lesion Specimen From Suspect Mpox Virus Case for step-by-step instructions for swabbing lesion surfaces and collecting crusts from healing lesions.

Opt in to receive updates from the CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS).

Online resources:

• Preparation and Collection of Specimens
• Information For Laboratory Personnel
• Laboratory Procedures and Biosafety Guidelines
• How to Report Test Results
• 2022 Outbreak Cases and Data

Questions?

• If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
• For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
• For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.

Thank you,

The Laboratory Outreach Communication System

Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)

Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

LOCS@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/locs