Replies

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/diagnosis/index.html

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http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-specimen-collection-submission-patients-suspected-infection-ebola.html

Ebola virus is detected in blood only after the onset of symptoms, usually fever. It may take up to 3 days after symptoms appear for the virus to reach detectable levels. Virus is generally detectable by real-time RT-PCR from 3-10 days after symptoms appear.

Specimens ideally should be taken when a symptomatic patient reports to a healthcare facility and is suspected of having an Ebola exposure. However, if the onset of symptoms is <3 days, a later specimen may be needed to completely rule-out Ebola virus, if the first specimen tests negative.

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Once the laboratory test is — once the blood is obtained, we usually can get — we usually get a test result back within 24 hours. Once we have it in the laboratory it’s very quick. It just takes a few hours. Between the time of the transport of the specimen to the laboratory. There’s a relatively fast turn around. I would say within a day people have the results.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/t1003-ebola-confirmed-case.html