WHO CCRRI - Shipping Instructions

1. Before you send your samples

Please contact us to inform us of your intention to send us samples, so we can expect your shipment.

If you can identify the subtype of your samples using the HI Typing Assay prior to shipping, this will greatly assist processing at the WHO CCRRI. If this is not possible, or if you have an urgent sample for which the Diagnostic Assay will delay shipping, please send us your sample immediately and we will determine the subtype at the WHO CCRRI. To learn more about the HI Typing Assay, click here

Top of Page

2. Sample preparation and packaging

*NEW* Please see this note on selecting the right transport medium for influenza virus isolation

Please include a copy of the following paperwork with your samples AND also send us a copy separately (by email if possible)

(For international shipments) AQIS Permit: please email us to request a copy of our current import permit

Sample Submission Form (UPDATED Dec 2020): download Sample Submission Form

Please note: For domestic shipments, this Sample Submission Form is the only form required for shipment

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO have released a new Interim Guide. In it, they request that laboratories notify WHO Collaborating Centres on whether the samples submitted have been tested for SARS-CoV-2. We have therefore modified our sample submission form to reflect this.

Please ensure you use this new form for shipping

When filling out the Sample Submission Form, please provide as much information as possible (including relevant patient data), as this will greatly assist us in processing the samples.

Both clinical specimens and viral isolates should be stored at -70°C and shipped on dry ice. (The viruses will not survive if they are stored at -20°C and shipped on wet ice.) Please minimise the number of times that clinical specimens are freeze-thawed.

If sending viral isolates, please send 1-2ml of isolate.

For clinical specimens, it is ideal to send at least 0.5-1ml of specimen (and more if possible). However if this is not possible, please send whatever volume you can provide.

Samples should be sent in clearly labelled neoprene tubes with leak-proof caps. If your samples are frozen and in leak-proof tubes, wrapping in parafilm should not be necessary. Please ensure that your labels are securely fastened and not at risk of falling off or being erased while being shipped – if possible please use non-erasable ink.

Top of Page

3. Shipping

All samples to be shipped to the WHO Collaborating Centre require paperwork to be completed. Please follow the instructions below, depending on whether you are a WHO National Influenza Centre or an Independent Laboratory.

WHO National Influenza Centres: as a WHO National Influenza Centre, you have access to the WHO Shipping Fund. To book a shipment with the Fund, fill out and submit the Booking Form below to World Courier Geneva. The courier will assist you with the consignment note, customs forms and commercial invoice required for shipping.

Download:

WHO Shipping Fund Guidelines document

Additional documents referenced in guidelines:

WHO Shipping Fund Booking form (blank: to be completed and submitted before each shipment)

WHO Shipping Fund Packing list/Invoice (blank: to be completed and to accompany the shipment)

Independent Laboratories (international): If you have not already selected a courier for shipping, our preferred courier is Labcabs International

Phone (within Australia) - 1300 522 222

Phone (outside of Australia) - +61 7 3399 3133

info@labcabs.com.au

Australian Customs requires the following documents to be provided with your shipment. We have provided templates for these documents to best ensure your samples reach us quickly.