transport monkeypox samples

At Intelsius, we have designed and manufactured Category A and B compliant sample transport packaging solutions for over 20 years and have designed and supplied millions of packaging solutions in response to national and international public health emergencies such as Mad Cow Disease and COVID-19.

This brief article will outline how you can safely transport suspected and confirmed monkeypox samples between healthcare and testing facilities using Intelsius packaging and labels.

How to Transport Monkeypox Samples: Compliance

Mainly found in parts of central or west Africa, the likelihood of catching monkeypox in non-endemic countries is extremely low. However, due to increased infections, the UK Government has published guidelines on testing for monkeypox and transporting suspected monkeypox samples.

As per these guidelines, suspected cases of monkeypox must be transported in Category B (UN3373) packaging. Confirmed cases, however, must be transported in Category A packaging. Here’s a brief overview of the difference between UN Category A and B classifications:

Category B is known as UN3373 and is described as: ‘an infectious substance which does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A.’

Category A is split into two further sub-categories: UN2814 (affecting humans) and UN2900 (affecting animals only) and is described as: ‘an infectious substance which is carried in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.’

You can read more about the difference between Category A and B compliance, including transport regulations and packaging requirements on our website here.

How to Transport Monkeypox Samples: Packaging

Depending on symptoms and whether it is a suspected or confirmed case (see UK Government Guidelines), monkeypox testing has been split into five distinct categories. Each test has its own primary container requirements:

NumberTest TypePrimary ContainerIntelsius Secondary Packaging Solution
1PCR/Viral SwabViral Transport MediaPathoPak or PathoShield
2Scab ScrapingStandard Universal ContainerPathoPak or PathoShield
3Throat SwabViral Transport MediaPathoPak or PathoShield
4Blood SampleEDTA TubePathoPak or PathoShield
5Urine SampleUniversal Sterile ContainerPathoPak or PathoShield

Intelsius manufacture two sample packaging ranges suitable for transporting all five testing methods and primary containers detailed above as both Category A and Category B compliant solutions.

PathoPak

PathoPak sample transport packaging is certified for Category A and B shipments, meeting IATA, ADR, and CFR 49 (DOT) transport regulations and ensuring optimal protection for your samples regardless of the specimen classification.

Strong, durable and highly protective, PathoPak packaging is suitable for shipping a wide range of primaries, including blood tubes, specimen containers, swabs, blood collection/transfusion bags and medical devices, making it the ideal solution for your monkeypox sample transport.

PathoPak sample packaging is available as a 1L, 2L or 3L solution.

pathopak

Click the button below to find out more about PathoPak sample transport solutions.

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PathoShield

PathoShield is a complete shipping solution designed to carry a wide range of primaries, including blood vials, swabs and sample containers. Each system is pre-printed with the required markings and includes the relevant components to ship monkeypox samples in compliance with transport regulations.

PathoShield sample packaging is available in multiple sizes, accommodating between 3 and 6 tubes per box. They are also available as outer packaging only.

pathoshield

Click the button below to find out more about PathoShield sample transport solutions.

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Make Enquiry

If you have questions about transporting monkeypox samples or any other sample transport query, we’d love to hear from you. Click ‘Get in Touch’ to find and contact your local office and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about the monkeypox virus, please visit the NHS website for more details here.

Or, to find out more about our COVID-19 response read our article here.

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