Swab a pustule/lesion vigorously and place the swab into a viral culture media (VCM) or equivalent tube.
No additional confirmatory testing is required at the CDC; therefore, a duplicate swab from the same lesion is not needed. If clinically indicated, consider submitting additional swabs if multiple lesions with different stages are present. Multiple specimens collected from a single patient should be submitted separately; each should be accompanied by its own separate requisition and transported in its own sealed bag. Ship frozen (preferred) or refrigerated.
Healthcare personnel should collect specimens using personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with recommendations for healthcare settings.4 Specimens will not be collected in Quest patient service centers.
For additional information please read the Mpox specimen collection guidelines (questdiagnostics.com)