SHIPPING SAMPLES AND CARCASS HANDLING

1. If submitting heads then arrange to have it picked up by the MDA courier service ideally within 3 days of death.  If it’s been longer then 3 days please call MDA office at numbers provided above in #4.
   
   
2. If collecting the tissues yourself then please place them in the formalin solution, as soon as possible, and be sure to do the following:
   
   
   1. Tightly close the lids on each container.
   2. Using a sealing tape (or another form of tape such as electrical tape) seal the lid to the jar in a clockwise direction to make it more leak-proof.
   3. Place each container in a biohazard bag.
   4. Place the completely filled out submission form in the biohazard bag's "side pouch".
      
      
3. When submitting collected samples use ground or air mail (US Postal Service, FedEx, etc.) service. Do NOT ship heads call the courier service.  Seal the containers and place in the Biohazard Medical bags.  Place the sealed containers in the bags in the upright position.  Use absorbent paper (such as newspaper) to pack around the open spaces of the bagged containers.  Seal the shipping boxes with appropriate tape (strapping or fiber tape).
   
   
4. On the shipping label use the following address:
   
   

ANIMAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY
B619 WEST FEE HALL
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
EAST LANSING, MI 48824-1316



5. If you are located nearby the MDA Animal Industry Office in Atlanta, MI then you may drop off samples during working hours to circumvent paying for delivery charges. Call (989) 785-5616 before dropping samples off (including intact heads).
   
   

• LABORATORY RESULTS – Turn around time for receiving results can vary from one week to one month depending on several factors.  The MDA office will forward a copy of the results once they are in hand.
  
  
• DISPOSAL – MDA recommends that carcasses of animals you suspect may have CWD should be retained until results are known.  If you have a possible suspect be sure to call MDA right away.  DO NOT BURY THE SUSPECT CARCASS. 
  
  
• IF ANY carcass is not retained then please document where it is being kept on the submission form.  If in the unlikely event the carcass should test positive, then MDA will need to trace back the carcass and pick it up for incineration.  The meat of CWD positive animals should not be eaten by anyone, feed to animals or used for rendering.  Although there are NO known human risks for contracting CWD, it is in the best interest of producers to be cautious and protect the cervid/venison markets.