About the Public Health Laboratory

For more information call 209-468-3460

The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) works in conjunction with public health clinics, local hospitals and health care providers, public health departments from surrounding counties and the department of Environmental Health.

San Joaquin County Public Health Laboratory is a California State and Federally certified facility that provides high complexity testing services in the areas of bacteriology, parasitology, mycobacteriology, mycology, immunology, and virology.

Microbiological examinations of food and water are also provided in support of Environmental Health Programs.

Functions

  • Outreach support: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Tuberculosis, HIV antibody testing, Hepatitis testing.
  • Rabies testing
  • Influenza surveillance (local hospitals and healthcare providers)
  • West Nile Virus testing
  • Clearance exams on food handlers, health care and day care workers with infectious diseases.
  • Investigations of suspected communicable disease outbreaks (e.g. Salmonella, Norovirus).
  • Molecular analysis of bacterial and viral pathogens.
  • Investigation of suspected bioterrorism incidents.
  • Parasite testing.
  • Testing for Novel and Emerging diseases.
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease, HIV antibody testing, Tuberculosis, and investigations of communicable disease outbreaks for area Correctional Facilities.
  • Food borne illness investigations for the Department of Environmental Health.
  • Bacteriological testing of drinking water and certain select recreational waters for the Department of Environmental Health and other government agencies.
  • Testing for the County Medical Examiner to assist in determining causes of death.
  • Testing environmental samples for bioterrorism agents.
  • Testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
  • HIV antibody testing
  • HIV viral load testing
  • Hepatitis viral load testing
  • Molecular analysis of bacterial and viral pathogens

 

  • Identification of enteric pathogens
  • Confirmation testing for Syphilis
  • Identification of tuberculosis bacteria and drug susceptibility testing
  • Reference for parasite identification
  • Identification of fungi, yeasts, parasites, and unusual bacteria
  • Viral testing
  • Molecular analysis of bacterial and viral pathogens
  • Influenza surveillance
  • Testing for Novel and Emerging Diseases after bioterrorism agents

(Tuolumne, Amador, Alpine, Mariposa, Calaveras, Mono)

  • Testing for sexually transmitted diseases
  • HIV antibody testing
  • Rabies testing
  • Identification and confirmation of suspected bioterrorism agents for the counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.
  • CRE Testing
  • Testing for Novel and Emerging /Remerging Diseases after bioterrorism agents.
  • Present lectures and demonstrations for schools and community groups
  • Answer inquiries from the public