[Last Modified: ]

Shipment
Note: When you ship a specimen to CDC, make sure your package will arrive on a weekday and will not arrive at CDC on the weekend or a federal holiday.

1. In emergencies, call the Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Parasitic Diseases at (770) 488-7760 to make special arrangements.
2. For routine requests, submit the specimen to the appropriate city, county or state health department laboratory (see http://www.aphl.org) for processing and examination.  That facility will refer specimens to CDC if necessary.
3. Figure 1 shows correct labeling and packaging of specimens (http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/b4acf1.htm).
4. If shipping a specimen, please refer to shipping regulations and guidelines at the following addresses:
   1. Guidelines for the Safe Transport of Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/emc/biosafety.html)
   2. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, International Air Transport Association (http://www.iata.org/cargo/dg/)
   3. Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 100-185.  Hazardous Materials regulations, Department of Transportation (http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules.htm)
   4. Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 72.  Interstate shipment of etiologic agents, Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/shipregs.htm)
   5. Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 72.6.  Additional requirements for facilities transferring or receiving select agents Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/lrsat.htm)
   6. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biological and Biomedical Laboratories CDC/NIH (http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl/bmbl-1.htm)

For additional information about shipping specimens, call the Division of Parasitic Diseases at 770-488-4474.