Where to take a tick to a laboratory? - briefly
Ticks belong in a sealed, ventilated container and should be delivered to a public‑health or university veterinary diagnostic laboratory that processes arthropod specimens. Contact the local health department to locate the nearest accredited facility.
Where to take a tick to a laboratory? - in detail
Ticks collected for diagnostic testing require delivery to facilities equipped for arthropod identification and pathogen detection. Suitable destinations include:
- Public health laboratories operated by regional health authorities.
- University veterinary or entomology departments with accredited microscopy and molecular capabilities.
- Private diagnostic companies specializing in vector‑borne disease screening.
- National reference centers that provide confirmatory testing for rare or emerging pathogens.
Transport procedures must preserve specimen integrity and comply with biosafety regulations. Recommended actions:
- Place the tick in a rigid, sealable container (e.g., a screw‑cap microtube) that prevents escape.
- Add a small volume of 70 % ethanol if morphological examination is the primary goal; use sterile saline or dry conditions for molecular assays.
- Label the container with collection date, location, host species, and any observed symptoms.
- Maintain ambient temperature; avoid freezing unless the receiving laboratory specifies otherwise.
- Ship the package within 24 hours of collection, using a courier service that accepts biological specimens and includes a biohazard label.
Regulatory compliance involves:
- Verifying that the receiving laboratory holds the appropriate biosafety level certification.
- Obtaining any required permits for transporting arthropods across jurisdictional boundaries.
- Completing a shipping manifest that details the specimen type, quantity, and intended analysis.
Contact information for locating the nearest accredited facility can be found on the website of the national public health agency or by calling the regional health department’s vector‑control hotline. These resources provide addresses, operating hours, and specimen‑submission guidelines specific to tick analysis.