Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes and when you least expect them. Facility-specific readiness and response preparation, combined with linkages to larger response networks, can help keep emergencies from turning into full-blown crises.
Contact the Emergency Operations team at [email protected]. Contact our media team for news inquiries and interview requests.
APHL has de-activated our ICS responses for Cyclospora and Andes Virus. Visit our Public Health Response Coordination page for information and resources from these responses.
Our Incident Command System (ICS) is currently active to ensure a unified public health response to the Ebola disease outbreak. APHL has also been supporting these efforts by:
We send Lab Alert emails to our members when there are situational updates. Members can visit the APHL Lab Alerts page to find previous alerts, and read the latest below:
CDC is responding to an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense). The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time.
CDC has released the following guidance, information and Health Alert Network (HAN) advisories:
Many public health laboratories in the US can conduct testing for Ebola using tests deployed through the Laboratory Response Network and/or using commercially available assays.
This document provides guidance for clinical laboratories on biosafety considerations when preparing for and when handling specimens from patients under investigation (PUI) for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) such as Ebola disease.
Use this checklist to help identify potential gaps in institutional biosafety plans so you can prepare for and respond to suspected high consequence pathogens (HCP) and provide the necessary training to mitigate any enhanced exposure risks.
Use this guide to evaluate potential laboratory biological exposure events; find resources and information that may be needed for treatment, symptom monitoring and follow up.
Use this interactive toolkit to evaluate packaging and shipping of Category A & B Substances and their associated documentation. Download and open in Adobe Acrobat to utilize the forms’ interactive elements and complete the forms digitally.
This template is designed to assist laboratories in the development of their risk assessment for the testing of orthoebolaviruses. File will auto-download upon opening.
This template is designed to assist laboratories in the development of their risk assessment for Ebola disease. File will auto-download upon opening.
APHL has de-activated our ICS response for Cyclospora. Visit our Public Health Response Coordination page for information and related resources.
On September 15, CDC transitioned from weekly to periodic updates as the number of recent infections has declined. View the latest available surveillance information:
The FDA has released the following information on Cyclospora:
The following resources can be used in the event of an emergency:
Drinking Water Analytical Methods
This EPA resource provides a list of additional resources of approved water analytical methods.
Drinking Water Contaminants – Standards and Regulations
This resource from EPA provides an overview of drinking water regulations.
Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan
This document from EPA provides processes and procedures for coordinated laboratory response to water contamination incidents that may require additional analytical support and a broader response than a typical laboratory can provide.
Lab Floods: Practical Guide
Use this APHL-created guidance to practically deal with laboratory floods.
Mold Clean Up Guidelines and Recommendations | Mold | CDC
This resource from CDC provides recommendations and guidance for mold clean-up.
Mold: Flood Cleanup
Use this guidance from CDC to clean up mold and protect indoor air quality in the wake of laboratory flooding.
Not facing an active emergency but want to be ready? Find resources for all your preparedness and safety needs:
During a public health response, well-prepared networks can make a world of difference. Networks can help centralize and standardize activities by providing:
Crisis management practices
Timely communications
Sound science
Data to inform response
Public/private partnerships
Shared expertise
Below are networks or groups that can provide assistance, support and resources during an emergency:
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is state law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
What do public health laboratories need to know about EMAC and their responsibilities towards it?
Environmental Response Laboratory Network
The Environmental Protection Agency established the Environmental Response Laboratory Network in 2009 to address a need for a national network of laboratories with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear analytical capabilities to support the emergency response community in mitigation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats.
Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan
The Water Laboratory Alliance is a nationwide network of laboratories designed to provide analytical support during contamination incidents that may exceed your laboratory capability and capacity.
APHL supports our member laboratories as they respond to public health emergencies by providing leadership, advocacy and scientific guidance. During emergencies that threaten to overwhelm the capacity or capabilities of public health laboratories, APHL activates its Incident Command System to ensure a coordinated laboratory response.
Learn more about APHL’s past public health responses and our current capabilities:
