What are the requirements for transporting test specimens?

Sample infectious specimens, if not properly managed, especially during transportation, can cause unforeseeable consequences. Therefore, Circular 40 has set forth stringent requirements for transporting specimen samples, specifically:

- The unit collecting the specimen samples must notify the laboratory, the receiving unit, about the type of specimen samples; the date of shipment; the means of transportation, and the estimated arrival time at the receiving unit.- Specimen samples must be preserved throughout the transportation process to the testing facility.- Size, weight, and volume of packed specimen samples when transported by air:- For specimen samples containing infectious substances of category A: Each package of liquid specimen samples shall not exceed 50 ml for passenger aircraft or 04 liters for cargo aircraft. Each package of solid specimen samples shall not exceed 50 g for passenger aircraft or 04 kg for cargo aircraft;- For specimen samples containing infectious substances of category B: Each package of liquid specimen samples shall not exceed 01 liter, with the total volume of packed specimen samples not exceeding 04 liters. Each package of solid specimen samples shall not exceed 04 kg/package.- Transportation of specimen samples by sea, road, or rail: Each externally packed package must have minimum dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm per side, with no maximum size limit.- The individual transporting specimen samples must use available equipment and instruments to prevent the spread of infectious agents to humans and the environment.

More details can be found in Circular 40/2018/TT-BYT, effective from January 25, 2019.

- Thanh Lam -

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