Guidance

Appendix 5: avian influenza swabbing kits

Updated 28 November 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-of-england-public-health-laboratory-user-handbook/appendix-5-avian-influenza-swabbing-kits

Specimen collection instructions are included in the postal kit, with a cover letter and request form.

  1. Place swab (nose or throat swab or throat swab as advised) inside the sterile specimen container containing viral liquid transport media. Snap the swab off at a break point to ensure it fits in the specimen container and allows the lid to be correctly and securely closed. Make sure that you do not snap the swab off at a higher break point as this will prevent the lid from closing correctly and cause leakage of the specimen or liquid transport media. Please ensure that you fill in the label on the specimen container clearly.

  2. Place the specimen container inside the plastic transport pouch with the pad of absorbent material. Ensure that the lid on the specimen container and the adhesive seal strip on the plastic transport pouch are both securely closed.

  3. Place the plastic transport pouch containing the specimen container inside the cardboard transport box. Please complete the request form clearly and as fully as possible.

  4. Single samples should be submitted in the transport container. Place request forms outside of the plastic transport pouch within the cardboard transport box. Seal the cardboard transport box with the security seal strip.

  5. Attach the adhesive pre-addressed Tracked 24 postal label to the outside of the sealed cardboard transport box, next to but not covering the UN3373 icon, and post.

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