On June 6, 2024, the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a temporary exemption for H5 avian influenza viruses from the requirements of the select agent and toxin...
CDC LOCS
CDC LOCS
COLA has established this CDC Updates page so that you can quickly receive up to date information for clinical laboratories. COLA has been engaged with the CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) in the Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) to transmit their public health messages to our laboratories and affiliates.
For past CDC LOCS updates, click here.
Select Agents and Toxins Exemption for H5 Avian Influenza Viruses
On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) public health agencies, has developed a multi-faceted enhanced summer influenza surveillance strategy that will be...
Enforcement Discretion Granted for the Use of Conjunctival Swabs with the CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, Influenza A/H5 Subtyping Kit
On May 24, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted enforcement discretion for the use of conjunctival swabs as an acceptable specimen type with the CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, Influenza A/H5 Subtyping Kit....
CDC Issues Alert for Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections
On April 23, 2024, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about the risks of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin injections. CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local partners are investigating clusters of 22 people in 11 U.S....
Increase in Global and Domestic Measles Cases and Outbreaks: Ensure Children in the United States and Those Traveling Internationally 6 Months and Older are Current on MMR Vaccination
On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases and to provide guidance on measles prevention....
Biosafety Laboratory Guidance for Handling and Processing Mpox Specimens
On April 4, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Biosafety Laboratory Guidance for Handling and Processing Mpox Specimens webpage to include information about clade I and to clarify select agent requirements. CDC also updated the...
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus: Identification of Human Infection and Recommendations for Investigations and Response
On April 5, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about a recently confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following exposure to...
Upcoming CLIAC Meeting
On March 26, 2024, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) published information about the upcoming virtual CLIAC meeting, which will take place April 10. The biannual CLIAC meetings are an excellent opportunity for laboratory professionals to...
FDA Revokes EUAs for Six SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro Diagnostic Devices
On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register about the revocation of six Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) of in vitro diagnostic devices for detection and/or diagnosis of...
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