ACLA Statement on Monkeypox Testing
Washington, D.C. – In response to the growing cases of monkeypox infections and the expanded testing capacity from the public-private response, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) released the following statement about clinical testing:
“Five leading clinical laboratory members of the ACLA are partnering with the CDC to strengthen the U.S. response to the monkeypox emergency through the dramatic scaling up of monkeypox testing capacity. Collectively, these laboratories now have in place the capacity to test up to 70K patient samples per week, above current demand. This public-private partnership is essential for a robust testing response to meet the needs of patients throughout the country.
In partnership with the CDC, these laboratories offer monkeypox testing to physicians and health care providers nationwide. Based on medical and CDC guidelines, testing for monkeypox requires a specimen collected from suspected monkeypox lesions using a swab of a skin lesion. The laboratories can pick up patient specimens or arrange for their transport to laboratories for testing.
Patients suspected of having monkeypox may need additional diagnostic tests for other diseases or conditions. CDC’s revised guidance clarifies that laboratory patient-collection sites can provide these additional test services to individuals who have, or are suspected of having, monkeypox, subject to the requirements in the CDC’s Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings.
ACLA member laboratories employ thousands of trained phlebotomists who safely perform test services for patients including through the collection of blood from patients who may have different communicable diseases including, but not limited to, HIV, hepatitis, COVID-19, and now monkeypox.
ACLA, the five laboratories, Aegis Sciences, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Sonic Healthcare USA, and additional ACLA members bringing monkeypox testing online will continue to collaborate with federal and state governments and the FDA and CDC as this public health emergency evolves to provide high quality, reliable diagnostic testing to all patients as the demand for testing grows, while protecting the safety of laboratory workers and the patients they serve.”
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The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) is the national trade association representing leading laboratories that deliver essential diagnostic health information to patients and providers. ACLA members are at the forefront of driving diagnostic innovation to meet the country’s evolving health care needs and provide vital clinical laboratory tests that identify and prevent infectious, acute and chronic disease. ACLA works to advance the next generation of health care delivery through policies that expand access to lifesaving testing services.
