Lab Test Menu

Use the searchable menu below for:

  • Specimen collection and shipping instructions
  • Specimen submission forms
  • Pre-approval requirements
  • Testing methodologies and frequencies
  • Turnaround times and contact information

To ensure that specimens meet laboratory acceptance criteria, please review all appropriate content prior to specimen submission.

 

Name Sort descending Updated Required form Specimen Collection and Submission Instructions Pre-approval Requirement Procedure, if applicable Methodology Testing Frequency Turnaround Time (business days) Comments Contact Footnotes Notifiable Conditions Info
Aerobic Bacterial Culture 06/01/2022

Aerobic Bacterial Culture

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Bacteria of interest will be isolated using selective and enrichment media and characterized using Gram staining and biochemical workup.

Daily, on regular business days

7-14 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Aerobic Bacterial Identification
Aerobes
06/01/2022

Aerobic Bacterial Identification

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All clinical isolates will be identified by using biochemical and available molecular methods.

Daily, on regular business days

3-10 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning
ASP, Domoic acid, Biotoxin, Marine Toxin
03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form

Collection and Submission Instructions Shellfish Toxin Testing (PDF)

Instructional Video

Contact the Shellfish Program for required prior approval for testing

Quilliam Method, HPLC Diode Array Detection

Test is performed as needed

Within 24 hours of sample collection

Shellfish Related Illness: Questions concerning illness associated with eating shellfish should be directed either to the Local Health Jurisdiction or to the Office of Shellfish Program.

Marine Biotoxins Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

 

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Anaerobic Bacterial Culture
Anaerobic isolation. Anaerobes
06/01/2022

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and identification of pathogenic anaerobic organisms by selective plating and biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

10-20 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Anaerobic Bacterial Identification
Anaerobes
06/01/2022

Anaerobic Bacterial Identification

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All clinical isolates will be identified by using biochemical and available molecular methods.

Daily, on regular business days

10-20 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Sensitivity, MRSA, VRSA, VISA, Multidrug resistant, Minimal inhibition testing
06/01/2022

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are tested using Kirby-Bauer and/or E-test for epidemiological purpose or upon request.

Monday-Thursday, excluding holidays

4-7 days

See CRE Screening Surveillance for CRE sensitivity testing. Sensitivities are performed on organisms that have CLSI guidelines for interpretation. Sensitivity is performed on N. meningitidis from sterile sites only.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Archival Isolate
Epidemiology, Archive, State Request
06/01/2022

Archival Isolate

Pre-approval not required.

Frozen for archive for epidemiological purposes

Not applicable

Not applicable

Isolate will not be tested.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Arsenic in Geoduck Testing 03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing

Three geoduck samples per sampling site are required for testing

Collection and Submission Instructions Arsenic in Geoduck Testing (PDF)

Inquire with the laboratory for the required chain of custody form

Washington State Laboratories protocol (HPLC-ICP-MS)

Test is performed as needed (for international export of geoducks)

Turn around times may vary. Generally within 3 weeks of sample collection.

For geoduck inspection and export certification information, contact your local seafood inspection office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

Shellfish Chemistry Lab (206) 418-5441

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
Bacillus anthracis, B. anthracis, anthrax, Rule out Bacillus anthracis, R/O Bacillus anthracis, Rule out B. anthracis, R/O B. anthracis
06/30/2022

Bacillus anthracis

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and the Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (48 hours)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bacillus cereus (Environmental)
foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Bacillus cereus (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis Confirmation
Whooping cough, Pertussis
06/01/2022

Bordetella pertussis Confirmation

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates will be confirmed by Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA).

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Please do not send mixed culture or media contaminated with fungus.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis Culture
Whooping cough, Pertussis
06/01/2022

Bordetella pertussis Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Swab will be plated on selective media, and suspicious growth tested with Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) and biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

7-10 days

Please use Dacron or rayon swabs for collection. Cotton swabs are toxic to B. pertussis.

 

Additional testing methodologies are performed for B. pertussis:  RT-PCR. 

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Bordetella pertussis, Bortadella parapertussis Real-Time PCR.
Pertussis, B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, Whooping cough
09/07/2018

Bordetella pertussis, Bortadella parapertussis, Real-Time PCR

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Once a week (Thursdays)*

5 days*

Additional testing methodology performed for B. pertussis:  Culture.

Molecular Laboratory (206) 418-5563

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Brucella spp.
Brucella suis, Brucella canis, Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucellosis, undulant fever, Malta fever, Gibralter fever, Mediterranean fever.
06/30/2022

Brucella spp.

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (15 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Burkholderia mallei
B. mallei, Glanders
06/30/2022

Burkholderia mallei

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (7 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Burkholderia pseudomallei
B. pseudomallei, Whitmores Disease, melioidosis
06/30/2022

Burkholderia pseudomallei

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification, susceptibility

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (7 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Campylobacter Identification
Campylobacter confirmation, Confirm Campylobacter jejuni or coli
06/01/2022

Campylobacter Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates confirmed using biochemicals. Specimens may be forwarded to the CDC for speciation.

Daily, on regular business days.

2-7 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Carbapenemase PCR
E.coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, CRE, Multi-drug resistant organism, MDRO
05/11/2017

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) carbapenemase PCR

Pre-approval only required for submission from non-Washington states.

If submitting specimens for ARLN testing, please refer to ARLN Test Menu.

Molecular testing for presence of select carbapenemase genes (KPC, NDM-1, VIM, IMP and OXA-48). This test is for epidemiological purposes only.

Twice weekly (batched)

2-5 days

Only pure isolates will be tested.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Screening Surveillance Culture
CRE, Multi-drug Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, CRE culture
03/26/2015 Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Screening Surveillance Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Selective broth enrichment followed by isolation with selective media. Suspicious colonies will be identified and susceptibility testing will be performed, where appropriate. As needed 2-10 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Chemical Incident Response (CIR)
Chemical Emergency Response, Chemical Exposure, Chemical, Lead, Metals, Pesticides, Toxins, Poison, Poisons, Blood Lead, Child Lead and Chemicals.
11/12/2021

Contact your Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or your local law enforcement for their specimen submission instructions.

Pre-approval required
LHJ or law enforcement will contact CIR laboratory personnel
Local Health Jurisdictions

Multiple, LRN-C Level 2

CDC Lab Response Network for Chemical Threats

Tests are performed as needed

ASAP depending on workload and the test(s) requested

  • Contact LHJ or your local law enforcement office to request testing
  • If you suspect a specific chemical exposure, include that information in the sample form
  • Notify your local law enforcement of any suspected criminal activity

Local Health Jurisdictions

Chemical Incident Response Laboratory 206-418-5520

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Clostridium botulinum toxin
Botulism, Bot toxin, C. botulinum
06/30/2022

Clostridium botulinum toxin

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Mouse bioassay, ELISA, standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Daily, on regular business days*

4-14 days

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Clostridium perfringens (Environmental)
Enteritis necroticans, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Clostridium perfringens (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Coccidioides AB EIA 06/01/2022

Coccidioides AB EIA Specimen instructions

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction(LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed

1-3 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Total and Fecal Coliform in Shellfish Wet Storage Testing
Fecal, Coliform, E. coli, contamination, Recirculating Water, Shellfish Growing Tank, Wet Storage
04/07/2021

Fecal Coliform Shellfish Wet Storage (PDF)

https://www.fda.gov/food/federalstate-food-programs/national-shellfish-sanitation-program-nssp

Contact the Shellfish Program for approval of testing

Multiple Tube Fermentation using Lauryl Tryptose Broth. 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater: 9221 B.

Monday- Wednesday 8AM-4PM and Thursday 8AM-1PM

3-7 business days after receipt of sample

Enteric Pathogen Related Illness:
Questions concerning illness associated with enteric pathogens should be directed to the Local Health Jurisdiction

 

Water Bacteriology Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Fecal Coliform in Marine Water
Fecal, Coliform, E. coli, Marine Water Testing, Shellfish Growing Areas
04/07/2021

Collection and Submission Instructions Fecal Coliform Marine Water (PDF)

Contact the Shellfish Program for approval of testing

Multiple Tube Fermentation using MA-1 Medium. 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater: 9221 E.

Monday - Friday 8AM - 1PM

Within 48 hours of sample receipt

Enteric Pathogen Related Illness: Questions concerning illness associated with enteric pathogens should be directed to the Local Health Jurisdiction

Water Bacteriology Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

Test cost: Inquire with the Water Bacteriology Lab

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Coliform Testing (Environmental)
Total and Fecal coliforms
10/14/2022

Coliform Testing (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

 

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture
Corynediptheriae, Diptheria
06/01/2022

Corynebacterium diphtheriae Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Selective media will be used to isolate and identify C. diphtheriae from clinical specimens.

Daily, on regular business days

5-7 days

If Corynebacterium diphtheriae is isolated, the isolate will be forwarded to CDC for toxigenicity testing.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Identification
Corynediptheriae, Diptheria, C. diphtheriae confirmation
06/01/2022

Corynebacterium diphtheriae Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Corynebacterium diptheriae will be confirmed using traditional biochemicals and forwarded to CDC for toxigenicity testing.

Daily, on regular business days

3-5 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
COVID-19
2019 Novel Coronavirus
05/06/2022

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.
LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

6 days per week

48 hours after approval and receipt of specimen

COVID-19 is an emerging condition. For details visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus

 

 

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE): 206-418-5500.

 

https://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/PublicHealthSystem/LocalHealthJurisdictions

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Coxiella burnetii, RT-PCR
Coxiella, Q fever
06/30/2022

Coxiella burnetii

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Confirmation is performed at the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Cryptosporidium/Giardia Confirmation
Cryptosporidium species, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis
11/23/2022

Cryptosporidium/Giardia Confirmation

Pre-approval required.

Diagnostic Parasitology Services is provided only to the Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJ) and State Agencies.

All other laboratories must obtain pre-approval from the Parasitology Laboratory before shipping (206) 418-5469.

Formalin Ethyl Acetate Concentration procedure followed by Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA).

Weekly (testing days may vary depending on specimen submission)

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Cyclospora/Cystoisospora belli
Coccidia, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora belli
11/23/2022

Cyclospora/Cystoisospora belli

Formalin Ethyl Acetate Concentration procedure followed by Modified Acid Fast staining.

Weekly (testing days may vary depending on specimen submission)

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning
DSP, Dinophysis toxins, Lipophilic shellfish toxins, Biotoxin, Marine Toxin
03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form

Collection and Submission Instructions Shellfish Toxin Testing (PDF)

Instructional Video

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form

LC-MS/MS

Test is performed as needed

Within 24 hours of sample collection

Shellfish Related Illness: Questions concerning illness associated with eating shellfish should be directed either to the Local Health Jurisdiction or to the Office of Shellfish Program.

Marine Biotoxins Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Ebola Virus 11/22/2022

Ebola Virus

Pre-approval required.

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

As needed*

8-10 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations

**Confirmation is performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Enteric Pathogen Screen
Diagnostic stool culture, Salmonella culture, Shigella culture, STEC culture, STX, Campylobacter culture, Vibrio culture, enterics
01/15/2015 Enteric Pathogen Screen

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All specimens will have selective plating, biochemical identification and appropiate typing performed on any suspicious colonies that grow on the selective media. Organisms screened for will include Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Vibro (June-September). Shiga toxin testing for StX1 and STX 2 will be performed by ImmunoCard Stat. Daily, on regular business days 7-14 days Screening for Vibrio outside of (June-Sept) as well as Yersina must be requested. Individual organisms can be requested. Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Environmental)
E. coli O157:H7, EHEC, STEC, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

 

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and confirmation methods based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with DOH CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Fastidious Bacterial Culture
Fastidious, Slow growing bacteria
06/01/2022

Fastidious Bacterial Culture

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Fastidious bacteria will be isolated using selective and enrichment media and characterized using Gram staining and biochemical workup.

Daily, on regular business days

5-14 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Fastidious Bacterial Identification
Fastidious bacteria ID, Slow growing bacteria identification
06/01/2022

Fastidious Bacterial Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Fastidious bacteria identified using traditional biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

5-14 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Food Safety Screen (pH and Water Activity)
pH & Aw
10/14/2022

Food Safety Screen (pH and Water Activity)

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500 and the laboratory 206-418-5442 before shipment of specimens.

Food is tested directly by pH meter and water activity meter.

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Please notify laboratory (206) 418-5442 before shipment of specimens.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Francisella tularensis
Tularemia, rabbit fever, deerfly fever
06/30/2022

Francisella tularensis

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations.
** Results for confirmation have a an extended turnaround time (7 days).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Haemophilus influenzae Identification
Haemophilus serotyping
06/01/2022

Haemophilus influenzae Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are identified and biotyped using biochemicals and growth requirements. Isolates are serotyped.

Daily, on regular business days

3-7 days

Identification performed on Isolates from patients under 5 years old or invasive isolates only.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Hantavirus
Hantavirus IgM/IgG Serology Test, SNV IgM, SNV IgG
02/16/2023

Hantavirus IgM/IgG Serology Test

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500

Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay

As needed*

3 days**

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
HIV 1/ HIV 2 Differentiation Assay
Geenius
08/23/2022

HIV Differentiation

Bio-Rad Geenius HIV-1/HIV-2 Supplemental Assay

Monday-Friday, excluding holidays

1 day

If the HIV CMIA is positive on a serum, HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation supplemental assay is performed.

(206) 418-5622

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
HIV, CMIA
HIV
08/23/2022

HIV-CMIA

Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CMIA): Detection of HIV-I p24 antigen, antibody for HIV-I (group m and group o), and antibody for HIV-2 by Abbott Alinity

Monday-Friday, excluding holidays

2 business days

If the HIV CMIA is positive on a serum, HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation assay is performed.
 

(206) 418-5622

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Influenza, RT-PCR Diagnostic
Flu A PCR, Flu B PCR, Influenza PCR, H5, H1N1, Pandemic swine flu, H7, Avian influenza, novel influenza, influenza subtyping, influenza genotyping
09/07/2018

Influenza Diagnostic

Guidance for Medical Examiners 

Pre-approval required under certain criteria.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)*

3 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for influenza: culture and oseltamivir resistance.

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (turnaround time of 24 hours).
** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Influenza, RT-PCR Surveillance
Flu A PCR, Flu B PCR, Influenza PCR, H5, H1N1, Pandemic swine flu, H7, Avian influenza, novel influenza, influenza subtyping, influenza genotyping, Surveillance, Sentinel
09/07/2018

Influenza Surveillance

Specimens are only accepted from surveillance laboratories (Sentinel Laboratories in WA)*.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Once every two weeks

Reports will be generated once a month in aggregate.

Additional testing methodologies are performed for influenza: culture and oseltamivir resistance.

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Detailed Instructions for Influenza Sentinel Laboratories 

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Lead and Copper Testing in School Drinking Water 04/01/2021

Contact the "School Lead in Drinking Water Coordinator" regarding scheduling a site visit for sample collection and analysis.

For sampling requirments, see the EPA Lead and Copper Rule information

Collection and Submission Instructions Lead and Copper Testing (PDF)

Contact the "School Lead in Drinking Water Coordinator" for prior-approval and scheduling.

EPA method 200.8 (PDF)

Test is performed as needed

Within 10 business days of sample 
collection

See the EPA official government website for more information.  Also, you may call the "Safe Drinking Water Hotline" at: 1-800-426-4791

School Drinking Water Coordination, (360) 236-3248

"3 T's"  sampling protocol (PDF)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Legionella Environmental Testing
Legionnaires' Disease, ELITE, Pontiac Fever
02/04/2022

Legionella Environmental Sample Collection and Submission Instructions

Contact the WA EPH Program (360-236-3000) regarding sample collection, submission form, and shipment. 

Also see CDC sample collection guidance

Pre-approval required.

Must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ). LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500

 

Culture or RT-PCR

https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/labs/procedures-manual.html

various

RT-PCR within 2 business days
Culture within 14 business days

Questions concerning illness associated with Legionella should be directed to the local health jurisdiction  or to Communicable Disease Epidemiology, (206) 418-5500.

Laboratory email is envmicrolab@doh.wa.gov
Laboratory phone is 206-418-5489

ELITE Lab

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/elite/Public/MemberList.aspx

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Legionella Identification
Legionnaire's Disease, Pontiac Fever
06/01/2022

Legionella Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates identified using selective plating and latex agglutination or RT-PCR (Legionella species and/or Legionella pneumophila)

Daily, on regular business days.

3-14 days*

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Legionella Species Culture (Clinical)
Legionella culture, Legionnaire's Disease, Pontiac Fever
06/01/2022

Legionella Species Culture (Clinical)

Pre-approval not required.

All specimens will be tested using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Positive RT-PCR specimens are cultured and suspicious colonies are tested by latex agglutination or RT-PCR.

Daily, on regular business days.

7-14 days*

* Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Listeria Identification
Listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes
06/01/2022

Listeria Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are identified using biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

3-5 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Listeria monocytogenes (Environmental)
Listeriosis, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Listeria monocytogenes (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and confirmation methods based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

14-30 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Marburg Virus 10/24/2022

Marburg Virus Collection and Submission Instructions

Pre-approval required.

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (206) 418-4400.

Multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

As needed *

8 hours **

Bioterrorism (206)-418-5418

*Stat testing available 24/7 for critical situations

**Confirmation is performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Measles IgG, EIA
Rubeola
05/05/2022

Measles IgG, EIA

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for measles: Measles IgM EIA, Measles RT-PCR.

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Measles IgM, EIA
Rubeola
05/05/2022

Measles IgM, EIA

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for measles: Measles IgG EIA, Measles RT-PCR.

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (turnaround time of 24 hours).
** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Measles, RT-PCR
Measles PCR
05/05/2022

Measles RT-PCR

Measles Specimen Shipping Guide

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Within 24 hours of arrival*

1 day**

Additional testing methodologies performed for measles: Serology.

Virology (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (turnaround time of 24 hours).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Monkey pox (Non-variola Orthopox PCR) 08/11/2022

Monkey pox (Non-variola Orthopox PCR)

Pre-approval required.

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Daily, on regular business day

1 day from receipt

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5481

Confirmation may be performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Mumps IgG, EIA 05/05/2022

Mumps IgG, EIA

Send sera for testing commercially unless otherwise instructed by Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or Washington State Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (DOH CD-Epi).

Pre-approval required for testing at PHL.

Healthcare providers and laboratories may obtain pre-approval by contacting the LHJ for the patient's county of residence.

If testing at PHL is approved, LHJ staff must then notify DOH CD-Epi at 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for mumps: Mumps IgM EIA, Mumps RT-PCR, Mumps culture

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Mumps IgM, EIA 05/05/2022

Mumps IgM, EIA

Send sera for testing commercially unless otherwise instructed by Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or Washington State Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (DOH CD-Epi).

Pre-approval required for testing at PHL.

Healthcare providers and laboratories may obtain pre-approval by contacting the LHJ for the patient's county of residence.

If testing at PHL is approved, LHJ staff must then notify DOH CD-Epi at 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for mumps: Mumps IgG EIA, Mumps RT-PCR, Mumps culture

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Mumps, RT-PCR
Mumps PCR
09/07/2018

Mumps RT-PCR

Mumps Specimen Shipping Guide

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Within 24 hours of arrival*

3 days**

Additional testing methodologies performed for mumps: culture and serology.

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).
** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Neisseria species Identification
Neisseria ID, GNDC
06/01/2022

Neisseria species Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are identified using selective plating and biochemicals. Neisseria meningitidis isolates are serotyped and receive antibiotic sensitivity testing.

Daily, on regular business days

4-7 days

Neisseria meningitidis isolates should be from sterile sites only.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Non-variola Orthopox
Vaccinia, Monkey pox, Cow pox, Camel pox
01/19/2022

Non-variola Orthopox

Pre-approval required.

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), cell culture

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Confirmation is performed at the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Norovirus, RT-PCR
Norovirus PCR
09/07/2018

Norovirus, RT-PCR

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) at 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Within 24 hours of arrival

2-5 days*

Individual cases are not reportable—only norovirus outbreaks suspected to be foodborne are reportable.

Molecular Laboratory (206) 418-5563

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Orthopox
Vaccinia, Monkey pox, Cow pox, Camel pox
01/19/2022

Orthopox

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), cell culture

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Confirmation is performed at the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
PSP, Saxitoxin, Biotoxin, Marine Toxin
03/30/2021

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form.

Collection and Submission Instructions Shellfish Toxin Testing (PDF)

Instructional Video

Contact the Shellfish Program to schedule testing and to obtain required form.

Bioassay

Test is performed as needed

Within 24 hours of sample collection

Shellfish Related Illness:
Questions concerning illness associated with eating shellfish should be directed either to the Local Health Jurisdiction or to the Office of Shellfish Program.

Marine Biotoxins Lab (206) 418-5441
Shellfish Program (360) 236-3328

Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program

National Shellfish Sanitation Program

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Parasite - Blood Confirmation
Malaria, Babesia sp., Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Microfilariae, Trypanosomes, parasites, blood parasite, blood parasites
11/23/2022

Parasite - Blood Confirmation

Pre-approval not required.

Standard blood smear examination. Blood may be required for Malaria PCR speciation.*

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form. Travel history required.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

* Specimen submission is for reference purposes only; Diagnostic testing must be performed by submitting laboratory. Full workup of thick and thin smears may not be performed.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Parasite - Gross Specimen Identification
Arthropod ID; Ascaris lumbricoides; Dermacentor species; Diphyllobothrium latum; Ixodes species; Taenia species; Tapeworm; Tick ID; Trichuris trichiura; Worm ID, parasites
11/23/2022

Parasite - Gross Specimen Identification

Specimens are only accepted from Healthcare Providers (HCP).

Macroscopic examination

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Parasite - Intestinal Confirmation
Amebiasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Balantidium coli; Blastocystis hominis; Dientamoeba fragilis; Chilomastix mesnili; Diphyllobothrium latum; Endolimax nana; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba species; Giardia lamblia; Hookworm; Hymenolepis species; Iodamoeba buetschlii; Paragonimus; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma japonicum; Strongyloides stercoralis; Taenia species; Trichuris trichiura, parasites, intestinal parasite, intestinal parasites
11/23/2022

Parasite - Intestinal Confirmation

Pre-approval not required.

Standard Ova & Parasite (O&P) examination procedures may include wetmount or trichrome.*

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

* Specimen submission is for reference purposes only; Diagnostic testing must be performed by submitting laboratory. Full O&P workup may not be performed depending on suspected organism.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Parasite - Intestinal Screen
Amebiasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Balantidium coli; Blastocystis hominis; Dientamoeba fragilis; Chilomastix mesnili; Diphyllobothrium latum; Endolimax nana; Entamoeba histolytica; Entamoeba species; Giardia lamblia; Hookworm; Hymenolepis species; Iodamoeba buetschlii; Paragonimus; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma japonicum; Strongyloides stercoralis; Taenia species; Trichuris trichiura, parasites, intestinal parasite, intestinal parasites
11/23/2022

Parasite - Intestinal Screen

Pre-approval required.

Diagnostic Parasitology Services is provided only to the Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJ) and State Agencies.

All other laboratories must obtain pre-approval from the Parasitology Laboratory before shipping (206) 418-5469.

Standard Ova & Parasite (O&P) examination procedures may include wetmount or trichrome.

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Parasite - Miscellaneous
Paragonimus; Paragonimiasis; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis; Strongyloides stercoralis; Strongyloidiasis, parasites
11/23/2022

Parasite - Miscellaneous

Pre-approval required.

Diagnostic Parasitology Services is provided only to the Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJ) and State Agencies.

All other laboratories must obtain pre-approval from the Parasitology Laboratory before shipping (206) 418-5469.

 

Standard examination procedures, may include; concentration, centrifugation, wetmount, and stains as necessary.

Daily, on regular business days

2-5 days

Suspected organism must be documented on requisition form.

Parasitology (206) 418-5469

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rabies, DFA
Rabies
09/07/2018

Rabies, DFA

Pre-approval required.

All submissions must be pre-approved by and sent through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must obtain pre-approval from Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500 before shipping.

Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA)

Daily, on regular business days*

30 hours**

1) Please see detailed information at:

2) Further testing to rule out non-specific fluorescence or to confirm a positive with low antigen distribution is performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (turnaround time of 24 hours).
** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1
Adenovirus, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus OC43, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Human Metapneumovirus, Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Influenza A and Influenza B, Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, and 4, Respiratory Synctial Virus, Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Respiratory Panel (PDF)

Guidance for Medical Examiners (PDF)

All cases from the Medical Examiner Offices will be tested without prior approval.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

The BioFire Respiratory 2.1 (RP2.1) Panel is an FDA aproved platform.

As needed

2 business days

Adenovirus typing is not performed at WA PHL. Testing will be forwarded to CDC upon request.
Positive Influenza specimens will be typed, and forwarded to CDC if applicable.

* Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Ricin Toxin
Ricinus communis, ricin
06/30/2022

Ricin Toxin

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the FBI (First responders), the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence, and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Time resolved fluorescence (TRF). 

Stat processing 24/7 for critical situations

8 hours*

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (15 days). Some confirmation processes are performed at CDC.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rubella IgG, EIA 05/05/2022

Rubella IgG, EIA

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Another rubella testing option is: Rubella IgM EIA

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rubella IgM, EIA 05/05/2022

Rubella IgM, EIA

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Another rubella testing option is: Rubella IgG EIA

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).

** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rule Out Campylobacter species
Campylobacteriosis, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, R/O Campylobacter, Rule-Out Campylobacter
01/15/2015 R/O Campylobacter species

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All specimens will be screened on non-selective and selective media. Daily, on regular business days 7-14 days* Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 * Turnaround times may be extended when an isolate must be submitted to another reference laboratory (e.g. CDC) for further characterization. This test is for Epi investigations only. Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rule Out Salmonella species
Salmonella, Salmonellosis, Test of Cure, R/O Salmonella, Rule-Out Salmonella
05/31/2022

R/O Salmonella species

Positive test must be shipped, no pre-approval necessary.

All specimens will be screened with selective plating. Suspicious isolates will have biochemical identification and serotyping performed.

Daily, on regular business days

7-14 days

Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rule Out Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC)
STEC, Toxin-Producing E. coli, Toxigenic E. coli, Test of cure, R/O Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli, Rule-Out Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli, R/O Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC), Rule-Out Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC), Rule Out STEC, Rule-Out STEC
05/31/2022

R/O Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC)

Positive tests must be shipped. No pre-approval necessary.

All specimens will have EIA-based shiga toxin test. Biochemical identification and serotyping will be performed on any shiga toxin positive isolates that grow on selective media.

Daily, on regular business days

7-14 days

Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rule Out Shigella species
Shigellosis, Test of cure, R/O Shigella species, Rule-Out Shigella
05/31/2022

R/O Shigella species

Positive tests must be shipped. No pre-approval necessary.

All specimens will be screened with selective plating. Suspicious isolates will have biochemical identification and serotyping performed.

Daily, on regular business days

7-14 days

Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Rule Out Yersinia enterocolitica
Yersiniosis, R/O Yersinia enterocolitica, Rule-Out Yersinia enterocolitica
01/15/2015 R/O Yersinia enterocolitica

Pre-approval required.

 

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

 

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

All specimens will be screened on selective media. Suspicious isolates will have identification and biotyping performed. Daily, on regular business days 7-14 days Submission from Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJ) and state Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) only. This test is for test of cure or Epi investigations only. Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Salmonella confirmation
Salmonella identification, Salmonella serotyping
01/15/2015 Salmonella confirmation Pre-approval not required. All specimens with suspicious colonies growing on selective media will have serotyping performed. Biochemical speciation will be performed if necessary. Daily, on regular business days 4-7 days This test is for isolates only. Please see Enteric Pathogen Screen for stool culture. Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Salmonella species (Environmental)
Salmonellosis, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Salmonella species (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and confirmation methods based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC) Confirmation
EHEC (Enterohemorrhagic E. coli) confirmation, E. coli identification, E. coli O157 identification, verotoxin confirmation, STX confirmation, STEC confirmation
01/15/2015 Shiga Toxigenic E. coli (STEC) Confirmation Pre-approval not required. All specimens will have EIA-based shiga toxin test. Biochemical identification and serotyping will be performed on any shiga toxin positive isolates that grow on selective media. Daily, on regular business days 4-7 days This test is for isolates and positive MacConkey or GN broths only. Please see Enteric Pathogen Screen for stool culture. Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Shigella confirmation
Shigella identification, Shigella serotyping
01/15/2015 Shigella confirmation Pre-approval not required. All specimens with suspicious colonies growing on selective media will have biochemical identification and serotyping performed. Daily, on regular business days 4-7 days This test is for isolates only. Please see Enteric Pathogen Screen for stool culture. Enteric Bacteriology (206) 418-5456 Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Shigella species (Environmental)
Shigellosis, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Shigella species (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Isolation and confirmation methods based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Staphylococcus aureus (Environmental)
Staphylococcal intoxication, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Staphylococcus aureus (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration method based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

4-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Syphilis, Clinical - Serum
Syphilis, RPR, TP-PA
08/23/2022

Syphilis, Clinical

Pre-approval not required.

Treponemal Specific Assays
CMIA (chemiluminescent Immunoassay): Detection of IgG and IgM antibodies by Abbott Alinity i.
TP-PA: (Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination) Confirmation of IgG and IgM antibodies.

Non-Treponemal Specific Assay
RPR: (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Qualitative and quantitative detection of non-specific antibodies.

Weekdays (excluding state holidays).

CMIA and RPR test results are available 3 business days from specimen receipt.

TP-PA test results are available 5 business days from specimen receipt.

CMIA and RPR are performed on each specimen.

If the results are inconclusive or discrepant between the two tests, a confirmatory TP-PA is performed.

STI Lab (206) 418-5622

* For CSF specimen, RPR, and TP-PA are not performed. Testing on CSF is performed by VDRL. Please see Syphilis - VDRL.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Syphilis, Reference - Serum
Syphilis, RPR, TP-PA
08/23/2022

Syphilis, Reference

Pre-approval not required.

Treponemal Specific Assays
CMIA (Chemiluminescent Immunoassay): Detection of IgM/IgG antibodies by Abbott Alinity i.
TP-PA: (Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination) Confirmation of IgG and IgM antibodies..

Non-Treponemal Specific Assay
RPR: (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Qualitative and quantitative detection of non-specific antibodies.

Weekdays (excluding state holidays).

CMIA and RPR test results are available 3 business days from specimen receipt.
TP-PA test results are available 5 business days from specimen receipt.

Reference specimens that test positive/reactive for syphilis are submitted to WA PHL STI laboratory for confirmation.

STI Lab (206) 418-5622

* For CSF specimen, CMIA and RPR are not performed. Testing on CSF is performed by VDRL. Please see Syphilis - VDRL.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Syphilis, VDRL - CSF
Syphilis, VDRL
11/17/2022

Syphilis, VDRL

Pre-approval not required.

VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory): Qualitative and quantitative detection of non-specific antibodies.

Once a week, usually Thursdays

5 business days

For CSF only VDRL testing is performed.

STI Lab (206) 418-5622

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB AFB Culture
AFB smear, Mycobacteria, TB culture, TB, AFB, TB acid-fast-bacilli, tuberculosis, consumption
10/01/2015

AFB, Culture

Specimens must be submitted through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ). If shipping Stool specimens, prior arrangement must be made with WAPHL TB Lab.

AFB smear and AFB culture

Monday-Friday, excluding holidays

AFB smears 24 hours. Positive AFB culture results available within 21-28 days; Negative results within 8 weeks.

All diagnostic specimens requesting isolation of TB will have an AFB smear and culture performed. To request additional testing please go to orderable tests for TB NAAT and TB Sensitivities.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB AFB ID
MOTT Identification, Mycobacterium Identification, Non-TB Identification, TB, AFB, TB acid-fast-bacilli, tuberculosis, consumption
11/19/2014

AFB, ID

Pre-approval not required.

DNA Sequencing

Weekly

14 days

Identification of AFB-positive isolates that are not MTB.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB AFB Sensitivities, First Line Drugs
TB sensitivities, TB drug resistance, TB, AFB, TB acid-fast-bacilli, tuberculosis, consumption
11/12/2014

AFB Sensitivities, First Line Drugs

Clinical specimens must be submitted through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ). MTB Sensitivities will be performed on the first TB isolate and will be repeated after 3 months of therapy if the cultures are still positive.

BACTEC MGIT First Line Sensitivities, (Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide)

1-2 times per week

Diagnostic specimen 7-14 days after TB identification; Isolates 7-14 days after receipt.

Diagnostic specimens will have smear and culture performed. Isolates must be submitted as pure culture.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB AFB Sensitivities, Second Line Drugs
TB sensitivities, TB drug resistance, TB, AFB, TB acid-fast-bacilli, tuberculosis, consumption
11/12/2014

AFB Sensitivities, Second Line Drugs

Pre-approval not required.

Agar proportion or disk diffusion

Once per week on as needed basis.

21-27 days after receipt or identification of TB culture.

May take longer if not pure isolate, or scant growth.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB AFB Smear
TB Smear, TB, AFB, TB acid-fast-bacilli, tuberculosis, consumption
10/01/2015

AFB, Smear

Specimens must be submitted through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ). If shipping Stool specimens, prior arrangement must be made with WAPHL TB Lab.

AFB smear and AFB culture

Monday-Friday, excluding holidays

AFB smears 24 hours.

All diagnostic specimens requesting isolation of TB will have an AFB smear and culture performed. To request additional testing please go to orderable tests for TB NAAT and TB Sensitivities.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB GeneXpert
Mycobacteriology (TB)
07/25/2022

TB GeneXpert

Specimens must be submitted through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or Core/Reference Laboratories.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reactions (TR-PCR)

Monday-Friday, excluding holidays

24 hours from test

GeneXpert is performed on all first-time AFB smear positive patients. One test per patient, additional tests available with approval through TB program. GeneXpert cannot be used to monitor treatment. GeneXpert can only be performed on sputum or treated sputum specimens.

For diagnostic samples that have not been decontaminated/digested, please submit a completed Microbiology Requisition Form (Requisition Form Mycobacterium not required).

Mycobacteriology (TB) 206-418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB NAAT / M. avium complex, NAAT
TB NAAT, TB, NAAT, TB Nucleic Acid Amplification Test, Molecular test for TB, TB PCR, TB, PCR, tuberculosis, consumption
02/15/2018

TB NAAT

Specimens must be submitted through the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) or Core/Reference laboratories.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Tuesday and Thursday

24 hours from test.

NAAT is performed on all first-time AFB smear positive patients. Up to two (2) NAATs will be performed per patient. NAAT cannot be used to monitor treatment. NAAT can only be performed on respiratory specimens.

For diagnostic samples that have not been decontaminated/digested, please submit a completed Microbiology Requisition Form (Requisition Form - Mycobacterium not required)

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
TB, Stock
Stock Culture, TB Stock, tuberculosis, consumption
12/01/2014

TB, Stock

Pre-approval not required.

Freezing at ultra low temperatures for specimen preservation.

As needed

Not applicable

According to WAC 246-101-201, laboratories in the State of Washington must send one MTB isolate per patient to the WA PHL within 2 business days of identification.

Mycobacteriology (TB) (206) 418-5473

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Varicella zoster virus, PCR (VZV, Chickenpox)
Herpes zoster, shingles, varicella-zoster
06/30/2022

Varicella zoster virus (Chicken pox)

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) 

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Results for confirmation have a an extended turnaround time (15 days)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Vibrio species (Environmental)
Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibriosis, foodborne illness, foodborne outbreak
10/14/2022

Vibrio species (Environmental)

Pre-approval required.

Must be approved by Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Enumeration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus through an MPN based real-time PCR assay. Other species of Vibrio are tested using isolation and confirmation methods based on the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM).

As needed upon request.

3-14 days

Testing performed only for outbreak investigations with CDE approval.

Food Microbiology (206) 418-5442

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Vibrio species Identification
Vibriosis, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae
06/01/2022

Vibrio species Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are identified using biochemicals and PCR.

Daily, on regular business days

3-7 days

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
West Nile Virus / St. Louis encephalitis
WN, WNV, St. Louis, SLE
09/07/2018

West Nile Virus / St. Louis Encephalitis, MIA

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Microsphere Immunoassay (MIA)

As needed*

2-5 days**

Virology Lab (206) 418-5458

* Stat testing is provided with prior approval by Department of Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (for results on next business day).
** Results for additional testing have an extended turnaround time.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes
Mosquito, WNV, Vector-borne Diseases, Flavivirus, RNA virus, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Arbovirus, Arboviral
07/06/2022

Contact the Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Program in Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) to schedule testing - zd@doh.wa.gov

Collection and Submission Instructions for West Nile Virus in Mosquitos Testing (PDF)

Protocol for Transporting, Packaging and Shipping Mosquitos (PDF)

WNV Resources: Forms and Video - How to set up an EVS trap

Pre-approval by the ZD/VBD Program in CDE required
zd@doh.wa.gov

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Variable

48 hours

ZD/VBD Program in Communicable Disease Epidemiology
(206) 418-5500 

WNV in the US: Guidelines for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control (CDC)(PDF)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
White Powder, Unknown
Unknown white powder
06/30/2022

White Powder Unknown

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the FBI (First responders), the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence, and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Time resolved flourescence (TRF), standard reference procedures for biochemical identification

Stat processing 24/7 for critical situations

8 hours*

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Results for confirmation have an extended turnaround time (15 days). Some confirmation processes are performed at CDC.

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Yersinia pestis
Y. pestis, pestis, plague, bubonic plague, black death
06/30/2022

Yersinia pestis

Pre-approval required.

 

Contact the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR); multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test

Daily, on regular business days*

8 hours**

Bioterrorism (206) 418-5562

* Stat testing is available 24/7 for critical situations
** Results for confirmation have a an extended turnaround time (5 days)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Yersinia species Identification 06/01/2022

Yersinia species Identification

Pre-approval not required.

Isolates are identified and biotypes (if applicable) using biochemicals.

Daily, on regular business days

3-7 days

Yerisinia pestis has special requirements and approvals. Please refer to the Yersinia pestis BT test.

Special Bacteriology (206) 418-5452

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)
Zika Virus, rRT-PCR
Zika, Flavivirus, Arbovirus
06/30/2022

Zika, rRT-PCR

Pre-approval required.

Healthcare providers (HCP) and laboratories must obtain pre-approval by contacting the Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) of the patient's county of residence. Please complete and fax the Zika Virus Intake Form to the LHJ.

LHJ staff must then notify Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) 206-418-5500.

Reverse Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)

Once per week on Wednesdays.

14 business days*

Additional testing methodologies performed for Zika: IgM Antibody Detection

Bioterrorism  (206) 418-5562

*Additional testing may be performed at  Centers for Disease and Control (CDC)

Notifiable Conditions Overview
List of Notifiable Conditions (includes links to reporting forms, guidelines for public health investigations, and case definition)