Guidance

MERS-CoV: clinical diagnostic laboratory specimen handling and processing

Interim guidance for staff in England, who handle samples from patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 18 April 2016

This publication was withdrawn on 27 June 2023

For up-to-date diagnostic information, refer to MERS-CoV: clinical management and guidance.

Documents

[Withdrawn] Interim guidance: handling and processing of specimens associated with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in clinical diagnostic laboratories

Ref: PHE publications gateway number: 2016031

PDF, 861 KB, 8 pages

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Details

Knowledge about the pathogenic potential and transmission risks for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is incomplete and continues to evolve. This interim guidance is based on current knowledge and aims to minimise risks for laboratory staff handling specimens from patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection.

This guidance is specific to clinical diagnostic laboratory practice in England and may differ from guidance produced by agencies in other countries, including recommendations about biosafety levels.

Published 18 April 2016