Ebola Preparedness: Ebola Virus Testing

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Clinical Laboratory Guidance

The following information is provided in the event a specimen is to be collected and sent to the North Carolina State Laboratory for Public Health to be tested for Ebola Zaire. This testing is performed by the Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP) Unit. All requests for testing must be approved by the Communicable Disease Branch (919-733-3419) prior to collecting samples. Please refer to the following documents for more information.

• Ebola Guidance for North Carolina Providers and Laboratories (PDF, 299 KB)
• N.C. SLPH Frequently Asked Questions regarding Ebola Virus Testing (PDF, 237 KB)
• Checklist for Submitting Ebola Samples to the NCSLPH-BTEP Unit (PDF, 260 KB)

Required Specimen Forms

You must send all 3 forms with each sample set.

• DHHS 5010: BT and Emerging Pathogens Clinical Form
• CDC 50.34 DASH Form (CDC website)
• Viral Specimen Pathogens Branch Diagnostic Specimen Submission Form
  • Example of how to fill out the Viral Specimen Pathogens Branch Specimen Form (PDF, 100 KB)

Additional Resources

• DPH > Epidemiology: Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
• DHHS Ebola Information
• CDC Ebola Website and information

BTEP Contact Information

BTEP Main Line: 919-807-8765
24/7 Duty Phone: 919-807-8600
BTEP Fax Number: 919-715-1840

SLPH Bioterrorism Information

• Agents of Concern
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Bacillus anthracis
  • Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis
  • Brucella spp
  • Burkholderia spp
  • Ebola Virus
  • Francisella tularensis
  • Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
  • Ricin
  • Smallpox
  • Yersinia pestis
• Contact Information
• F.A.Q.s
• Overview
• Preparedness Training for Clinical Labs (PDF, 741 KB)
• Resources
• Shipping Guidelines
• Submission Criteria
• Submission Forms