August Statewide Laboratory Advisory Meeting

September's Statewide Laboratory Advisory Meeting was held at noon, August 14.

Emily McCutchen, MS, NPHL Laboratory Manager, gave a presentation on the Opioid Biosurveillance Program that recently began at NPHL. During the presentation she discussed the need for opioid biosurveillance in Nebraska and the testing that is currently being done. She also encouraged hospitals interested in participating in the program to reach out to NPHL.

Ne DHHS discussed current outbreaks. Topics discussed included the increase in West Nile Virus in Nebraska, a GI outbreak in a tribal area at a Pow Wow event, and a Salmonella enteritis outbreak at a private residence with homemade ice cream.

Next month's meeting will have a discussion on Candida auris surveillance by Ishrat Kamal-Ahmed, PhD and Hepatitis testing by Andy Dillehay, HIV & Hepatitis Program Manager at Ne DHHS.

If you would like to attend the virtual meeting on September 11 at noon, please click on this link.

Shipping Address

Recently, changes have been made to the shipping address to NPHL Client Services.

Previously, laboratories who sent specimens or infectious substances to NPHL would send them to the following address:

Client Services

Nebraska Public Health Laboratory

4400 Emile St MSB 3500

Omaha NE 68105.

The ship-to-address is now:

Client Services

Nebraska Public Health Laboratory

4400 Emile St; UT 3314

Omaha, NE 68105.

Please note that if using FedEx to send specimen or infectious substances to NPHL.

As laboratories who use NPHL's shipping boxes start receiving them back, they will notice the changes to the box and to the Shipping papers.

If any laboratories have copies of shipping papers at their facility, please note which consignee or "ship to" address is on it.

This change is also reflected on the NPHL Request Form, The NPHL CRE.CRPA.CPE Supplemental Form, and the NPHL MTB Supplemental Form.

Please note these changes when sending specimen or infectious substances to NPHL.