Specimen Requirements

Missouri:

Specimen:

Within 72 hours of rash onset: Nasopharyngeal (preferred) or Throat (acceptable) swab in universal transport media.

Between 4-10 days of rash onset: Nasopharyngeal (preferred) or Throat (acceptable) swab in universal transport media AND urine specimen in sterile container (no preservative).

Collection: use standard NP or throat swab collection techniques.

Storage: refrigerate.

Contact: Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (BCDCP) is required prior to specimen collection or submission. You may contact BCDCP at 573-751-6113 during business hours or 800-392-0272 (24/7). All cases or suspected cases of measles must be reported immediately to BCDCP.

For more information on the collection and shipment of specimens for measles testing go to:  http://health.mo.gov/lab/measles.php 

Illinois:

Specimen:

Obtain throat or nasopharyngeal swab in universal transport media early in acute phase of illness, preferably within 3 days of onset of symptoms.

Collection: use standard NP or throat swab collection techniques.

Storage: refrigerate.

Complete Communicable Disease Laboratory Test Requisition available on the IDPH Clinical Testing page. Notify local health department or IDPH (217-557-2556) regarding suspected measles cases. If unable to reach local health department after-hours, call IEMA-OHS at 217-782-7860 to reach someone at IDPH.

For more information on the collection and shipment of specimens for measles testing go to:  https://dph.illinois.gov/measles

Note for Mayo Clinic testing: throat swab in UTM (NP swabs are not acceptable) and urine are acceptable specimens.