Emergency Response Resources

CDC has released the following guidance, information and Health Alert Network (HAN) advisories: 

• Andes Virus Public Health Investigation Guidance and Exposure Assessment Questionnaire
  Guidance | May 14, 2026 (may be revised in the future)

• 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection
  HAN Advisory | May 18, 2026

• Hantavirus Outbreak Toolkit
  Toolkit | May 8, 2026

• Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship FAQ
  Frequently Asked Questions | May 16, 2026

• 2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship
  HAN Advisory | May 8, 2026

• Hantavirus Outbreak Update
  Newsroom Statement | May 8, 2026

The following are restricted to APHL members:

• May 15, 2026 | Andes Virus Laboratory Director Call

• May 12, 2026 | Andes Virus All Laboratory Call

CDC has released the following guidance, information and Health Alert Network (HAN) advisories: 

• Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
  HAN Advisory | May 19, 2026

• Drinking Water Analytical Methods
  This EPA resource provides a list of additional resources of approved water analytical methods.

• Drinking Water Contaminants – Standards and Regulations
  This resource from EPA provides an overview of drinking water regulations.

• Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan
  This document from EPA provides processes and procedures for coordinated laboratory response to water contamination incidents that may require additional analytical support and a broader response than a typical laboratory can provide.
  

• Lab Floods: Practical Guide
  Use this APHL-created guidance to practically deal with laboratory floods.

• Mold Clean Up Guidelines and Recommendations | Mold | CDC 
  This resource from CDC provides recommendations and guidance for mold clean-up.

• Mold: Flood Cleanup
  Use this guidance from CDC to clean up mold and protect indoor air quality in the wake of laboratory flooding.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is state law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

What do public health laboratories need to know about EMAC and their responsibilities towards it? 

• Webinar EMAC - Basic Understanding and Use of System by Public Health and Medical Professionals - YouTube

  
  

• Webinar Use of the EMAC System by Public Health and Medical Professionals: A Discussion

• LRN for Biological Threats
  The Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B) is organized as a tiered pyramid of sentinel clinical, reference and national laboratories. These laboratories are integrated into a single network for rapid detection and response to threats. In 2014, the reference tier was further categorized into reference, standard and advanced laboratories based on capabilities.
  

• LRN for Chemical Threats
  The Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats (LRN-C) is the nation's laboratory emergency response system for chemical threats and other environmental public health emergencies. The LRN is a valuable resource for law enforcement and public health officials during public health emergencies.

Environmental Response Laboratory Network​​

The Environmental Protection Agency established the Environmental Response Laboratory Network in 2009 to address a need for a national network of laboratories with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear analytical capabilities to support the emergency response community in mitigation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats.

Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan

The Water Laboratory Alliance is a nationwide network of laboratories designed to provide analytical support during contamination incidents that may exceed your laboratory capability and capacity.