On July 17, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Desk Reference Graphic describing the procedure for collecting, storing and transporting conjunctival specimens for influenza A(H5) testing of patients with conjunctivitis and...
CDC LOCS
CDC LOCS
COLA has established this CDC Updates page so that you can quickly receive up to date information for clinical laboratories. COLA has been engaged with the CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) in the Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) to transmit their public health messages to our laboratories and affiliates.
For past CDC LOCS updates, click here.
Updated Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Guidance
On July 12, 2024, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated webpages and guidance about working with specimens from patients suspected of having a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). This guidance applies to VHFs caused by infections with...
Impending Shortage of Blood Culture Media Bottles from BD Life Sciences
On June 11, 2024, BD Life Sciences sent a letter to inform BD BACTEC Blood Culture System Users that they may experience intermittent delays in supply of some BD BACTEC blood culture media bottles over the coming months. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
CDC Issues Alert for Increased Risk of Dengue Virus Infections in the United States
On June 25, 2024, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about an increased risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections in the United States in 2024. The CDC is actively implementing several strategies to address the increase in cases of dengue including expanding...
Novel Influenza A Virus Biosafety Guidance Update
On June 6, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the laboratory biosafety guidelines for handling and processing specimens associated with Novel Influenza A viruses webpage to include additional information about risk...
CDC Enhanced Summer 2024 Influenza Surveillance Strategy
On June 6, 2024, the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a temporary exemption for H5 avian influenza viruses from the requirements of the select agent and toxin...
Select Agents and Toxins Exemption for H5 Avian Influenza Viruses
On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) public health agencies, has developed a multi-faceted enhanced summer influenza surveillance strategy that will be...
Enforcement Discretion Granted for the Use of Conjunctival Swabs with the CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, Influenza A/H5 Subtyping Kit
On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted enforcement discretion for the use of conjunctival swabs as an acceptable specimen type with the CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, Influenza A/H5 Subtyping Kit....
CDC Issues Alert for Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections
On April 23, 2024, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about the risks of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin injections. CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local partners are investigating clusters of 22 people in 11 U.S....
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest regulatory announcements, upcoming events, trending accreditation news and other laboratory topics.