Testing a Patient for Monkeypox (now known as mpox) and Reporting Findings Commercial testing is available through several commercial labs including Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, Aegis Sciences, and Sonic Healthcare USA. Labcorp, Aegis Sciences and Sonic Healthcare USA are using the CDC's orthopoxvirus test (which detects all non-smallpox related orthopoxviruses, including mpox). Healthcare providers must report all L.A. County residents with orthopoxvirus positive and/or presumptive positive test results from commercial laboratories.
Report positive cases of orthopoxvirus/mpox online.
If providers experience technical difficulties with using the online report form, reports may be completed and faxed to 1-888-397-3778 or 213-482-5508. Mpox Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) Form to Fax.
Provider reporting is not necessary for positive tests conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) Public Health Laboratory (PHL). Providers that suspect mpox in a person experiencing homelessness (PEH) and providers that do not have access to commercial orthopoxvirus testing are asked to submit specimens to PHL.
PHL testing may be requested seven (7) days a week during daytime hours:
- Weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
213-240-7941
- Weekends and holidays daytime 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
213-974-1234 and ask for the physician on-call.
- Evenings [After-hours] Monday – Sunday 5:00 pm to 8:00 am
Providers should collect, store, and label the specimens as outlined here and call DPH for approval in the morning.
Please be prepared to share photos of the rash and provide pertinent medical information (e.g., rash onset date, rash type, symptoms, smallpox vaccination date, if relevant, exposure history). Specimens received at the PHL without approval will not be tested.