Arbovirus (Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus)
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Arboviral Encephalitis serology test request that is sent to CDC for testing.
Consult with the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 for approval prior to transporting specimens.
0.5 mL of serum and/or 1.0 mL of CSF is required for serology testing.
Specimen must be kept cold at 2° - 8° C or frozen at <-20° C.
Acute 3 to 10 days after onset of symptoms
Convalescent 2-3 weeks after acute sample
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Write "Arbovirus EEE" under Comments/Other Test Requests
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Non-hemolyzed
Negative
Providers must report patient information on Eastern Equine Encephalitis immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
CDC turnaround time is 4 weeks
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.