Specimen Type/Requirements

• Collect throat swab (days 0-5 of rash)
  • Use the regular flocked swab with UTM kit (Lawson #6253401 or 6269221).
  • Use a tongue blade to depress tongue to prevent contamination of swab with saliva. Vigorously swab tonsillar areas.
  • Place swab into the 3 mL of UTM
• Collect throat swab and urine (days 6-9 of rash).
  • Swab throat as described above
  • Urine: collect 10-40 mL of urine directly into sterile container, collecting from the first part of the stream. First-morning voided specimens are ideal but not required. Cleansing prior to collection is not necessary.
  • Urine measles PCR testing is also performed at the MN state lab.Note:  Eswab is not accepatable. 
     
    Note: Indicate source on specimen and order.
     
    Specimens for PCR should be collected as soon as possible after rash onset (maximum of 9 days after rash onset). Refer to public health guidelines for additional guidance on specimen collection.