News

Rabies Testing Announcement
October 11, 2023 --- Effective Monday, October 16, 2023, SHL will only accept unvaccinated animals that have bitten a person and bats found in the home for rabies testing. All other specimens submitted to SHL for rabies testing will be sent to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) for testing until further notice. Read more...

Implementation of X-ALD Newborn Screening Pilot
October 6, 2023 --- The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized the Iowa Newborn Screening Program (INSP) to proceed with an implementation pilot to screen all newborns born in Iowa for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) in accordance with Iowa law. Read more...

Ova and Parasite Reporting Update
August 29, 2023 --- In an effort to make Ova and Parasite final reports clearer, the State Hygienic Laboratory is changing the analyte names on the Ova and Parasite, Stool Concentration and Trichrome Stain methods. Read more...

Webinars for New SHL STAT Courier Service
July 10, 2023 --- Beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2023, STAT Courier service will be partnering with SHL as the new courier service. SHL will be holding two webinars. Read more...

SHL Courrier Service Changing Effective August 1, 2023
June 27, 2023 --- With the retirement of Central Delivery Service on July 31, 2023, SHL would like to announce our new courier service beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2023, will be STAT Courier Service. Read more...

Revised State Hygienic Laboratory Clinical Test Request Forms
June 5, 2023 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory is making several changes to our clinical test request forms (TRFs) effective July 1, 2023.

Implementation of MPS1 and Pompe Newborn Screening
May 9, 2023 --- The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IHHS) has authorized the Iowa Newborn Screening Program (INSP) to begin routine screening for Mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1) and Glycogen storage disease type 2 (Pompe) on specimens received 05/15/2023. Read more...

COVID Testing Schedule Update
May 2, 2023 --- Effective Saturday, May 13, 2023, SHL will no longer be analyzing COVID samples on weekends and holidays.

Environmental Price Increase
May 2, 2023 --- Effective for samples received on and after July 1st, 2023, the State Hygienic Laboratory will increase environmental testing fees by approximately 6%.

Acid Fast Bacillus Culture Reporting Changes
April 13, 2023 --- In an effort to make AFB Culture Final Reports clearer, SHL will employ 5 new tests to ensure that results appear on the final report in the order they are released. These changes will be effective 4/21/2023. Read more...

Fee Increase for Iowa Newborn Screening Program
March 15, 2023 --- Effective July 1, 2023, the fee for INSP services will increase to $162. Read more...

Cleanup Celebrates 20 Years on the Iowa River; Set to Exceed 1,000,000 Pounds!
March 1, 2023 --- Iowa Project AWARE is heading to the Iowa River this summer! Online registration will be available starting at 7:00am, Monday, March 13. Read more...

Update to rabies testing process
January 19, 2023 --- As a part The State Hygienic Laboratory’s mission to provide objective, timely information to help keep Iowans safe and healthy, the lab provides rabies testing services at its Coralville laboratory.