Where to submit an encephalitis tick? - briefly
Submit the tick to your state or territorial public health laboratory, which will forward it to the CDC’s Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory when appropriate. Contact the local health department for the precise submission address and required documentation.
Where to submit an encephalitis tick? - in detail
If you have collected a tick that may transmit encephalitis‑causing viruses, the specimen should be sent to a qualified public health or veterinary laboratory equipped for arbovirus testing. The appropriate destination depends on your location and the resources available.
In the United States, the recommended channels are:
- State health department laboratory – most states maintain a vector‑borne disease unit that accepts ticks for identification and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for West Nile, Powassan, and other encephalitic viruses. Contact the state epidemiology office for submission guidelines, packaging requirements, and shipping labels.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory – the CDC accepts specimens from any state when state resources are unavailable or when a broader panel of viruses is needed. Use the CDC “Tick Submission Form” and follow the provided cold‑chain shipping instructions.
- University or research institution labs – many academic centers run vector surveillance programs and will process ticks for research purposes. Verify that the lab holds the necessary biosafety approvals before sending material.
For Canada, submit to the provincial public health laboratory or the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. In the United Kingdom, the Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency) Tick Surveillance Scheme handles such submissions. European Union members typically route specimens through their national reference laboratories for arboviruses.
General submission protocol:
- Label the specimen – include collector’s name, date of collection, exact location (GPS coordinates if possible), host species, and any visible life‑stage details.
- Preserve the tick – place the specimen in a sealed, sterile tube containing 70 % ethanol or keep it frozen at –20 °C if DNA analysis is required. Avoid formalin, which degrades nucleic acids.
- Complete the requisition form – provide clinical context (e.g., patient symptoms, exposure history) and request specific tests such as PCR, virus isolation, or serology.
- Ship with appropriate packaging – use a triple‑container system, include a cold pack if required, and attach a biohazard label. Follow the carrier’s regulations for biological substances.
- Confirm receipt – contact the receiving laboratory to verify that the sample arrived intact and to obtain a tracking number for the analysis request.
If you are outside the regions mentioned, locate the nearest national reference center for vector‑borne diseases through the World Health Organization’s list of collaborating centers or the International Society for Infectious Diseases. The center will provide country‑specific instructions for specimen handling and submission.