As part of our response to the COVID pandemic, WSLH scientists have been performing genomic sequencing to track how the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID) changes over time.

As the virus replicates and makes copies of itself, changes in the genome called mutations are introduced. When a virus emerges with one or more new changes it is referred to as a variant of the original virus.

The WSLH launched two genomic dashboards to visually display these virus variants. Data in these dashboards includes genomic sequencing performed at the WSLH, as well as other laboratories and public health partners. Data is made publicly available after review and is compliant with Data-Sharing and Usage agreements.

• SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Dashboard (virus isolated from patient samples)
• SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Genomic Dashboard (virus isolated from wastewater samples to identify which variants are circulating in a community)

The dashboards are part of the WSLH Data Portal, which allows people to explore accessible up to date information made available from public datasets. Data is transformed, linked, and visualized to increase clarity, reveal trends, simplify access, and promote overall information transparency. The plan is for additional dashboards to be added to the data portal in the future.

Dr. Kelsey Florek with the WSLH Communicable Disease Division developed the data portal and the SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Dashboard and collaborated with Dr. Adelaide Roguet with the WSLH Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Team, who created the SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Genomic Dashboard.

WSLH Newborn Screening Director and UW Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Mei Baker received the Everyday Life Saver Award in Newborn Screening at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) 2022 Newborn Screening Symposium.

APHL’s Everyday Life Saver Award in Newborn Screening highlights the meaningful, ongoing ways the recipient contributes to the morale of their team and/or operations of their program on a daily basis.

Baker also won APHL’s Harry Hannon Laboratory Improvement Award in Newborn Screening in 2014, but said this latest award means so much more.

“This second APHL award holds a very special place in my heart because the nominators are from home,” she said.

 

By Jori Skalitzky, UW–Madison CALS Office of External Relations

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Soil and Forage Analysis Lab, a trusted resource for soil testing services utilized by farmers, gardeners, researchers and others, has moved to a new home — physically and administratively. Formerly housed at the university’s Marshfield Agricultural Research Station in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the lab is now part of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and located in a WSLH facility in Madison, Wisconsin.

“The Soil and Forage Analysis Lab is a great addition to the State Lab of Hygiene, as we already offer a wide variety of tests related to public and environmental health, primarily focusing on water and air,” says Jamie Schauer, WSLH director and professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UW–Madison. “This addition will serve as an engine to drive research and promote activity in the space of soil, with the big-picture goal of studying and supporting a healthy environment.”

The WSLH, established in 1903, is part of UW­–Madison and serves as the state’s official public, environmental and occupational health laboratory. It provides analytical services, research and development, public health programs, laboratory proficiency testing, and training and education of students and professionals.

The Soil and Forage Analysis Lab offers a suite of soil testing packages, including for farm, lawn and garden, turfgrass and forest soils. It also offers a wide variety of individual tests, quantifying single compounds or nutrients found in soil, forage, manure and plants.

Learn more at – https://news.cals.wisc.edu/2022/12/05/uw-soil-and-forage-analysis-lab-moves-to-wisconsin-state-lab-of-hygiene/

Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations due to the observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

The table below lists the hours of operations for our Clinical Specimen Receiving department.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

NOTE: The WSLH Environmental Health Division also will be closed on December 26th and January 2nd. For environmental health samples – including water testing samples – it is best to submit your samples as early in the weeks of December 19th and 26th as possible due to the holidays.

 

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene will be closed on Thursday, November 24, 2022 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Our Specimen Receiving departments will observe the following hours of operation for the Thanksgiving holiday:

 

 

 

Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations for the Labor Day holiday.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

On Thursday, September 1, 2022 the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) will begin testing for Mycoplasma genitalium using the Aptima Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA) assay. This assay uses nucleic acid probes and TMA for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) to aid in the diagnosis of M. genitalium infection. The M. genitalium assay uses the same Aptima collection kits currently used for CT/GC testing and a single specimen can be used for multiple tests. M. genitalium testing is available for patients 14 years and older.

Read the full test announcement

Stay up to date with Monkeypox testing information at the WSLH on our Monkeypox-2022 web page.

Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations for the July 4th holiday.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations due to the observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

The table below lists the hours of operations for our Clinical Specimen Receiving departments.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.