DHHS > DPH > SLPH > Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens

Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens Unit Information

Agents of Concern

Contact Information

BT and Emerging Pathogens Main Line
(919) 807-8765

BT and Emerging Pathogens Duty Phone (24/7)
(919) 807-8600

BT and Emerging Pathogens Pager
(919) 310-4243

Epidemiology Main Line
(919) 733-3419

Resources

APHL Biothreat Agents Poster (PDF, 207 KB)
ASM Sentinel Lab Guidelines
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition
CDC Emergency Preparedness
Clinical Laboratory Preparedness and Response Guide (“Blue Book”) (PDF, 16 MB)
FDA Bioterrorism
NC Communicable Disease
NC Epidemiology
NC EPI PHPR
NCSLPH APHL Sentinel Laboratory Biothreat Bench Cards (PDF, 2.2 MB)
NIH Risk Groups Appendix B
Preparedness Training for Clinical Labs (PDF, 924 KB)
Select Agent Program

Submission Criteria

For Suspicious Powders

The general public should first contact their local law enforcement for an initial investigation. No powder samples can be submitted to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) unless through a law enforcement agency or through the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHP&R). If a credible threat is present, the investigating law enforcement agency should contact the NCSLPH to coordinate the details of submission. Refer to the document Response Guidelines for Suspicious Substance Threats for detailed procedures for response to an event. Powder samples are generally transported to the NCSLPH by the submitting law enforcement agency.

For Clinical Samples

Clinical samples will be accepted from a hospital or any other clinical lab in the state. Samples may be submitted if normal bacteriological methods are unable to rule out an agent of concern. The NCSLPH requests that all bioterrorism rule out samples be sent following current shipping guidelines, and include a completed Clinical Form. The submitting lab must specify if they want an unknown organism identified, otherwise the NCSLPH will only rule out specified agents of concern.

Submission Forms

DHHS 5010: BT and Emerging Pathogens Clinical Form
BTEP and CTAT Environmental Submission Form (PDF, 173 KB)
Chain of Custody Form (PDF, 213 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bioterrorism samples returned?
Samples can be returned to the submitting agency. Generally the submitting agency will call after receiving negative results to schedule an appointment to pick up the tested sample.

Who would the general public contact regarding suspicious powders, letters, or packages?
The general public should contact their local law enforcement agency who will then contact the NC State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) if a threat is present.

Will a weekend delay the results of a bioterrorism sample?
A weekend will generally not delay the results of a sample. The actual turnaround time will vary depending upon the threat and testing load.

How are results obtained?
Results will be phoned to the submitting agency or hospital/clinic the day they are obtained, and mailed in the next outgoing mail.