San Diego County Public Health Laboratory
Highlights from the Public Health Lab's Ribbon Cutting - May 29, 2025.
Our new facility, featuring modern design and cutting-edge technology, is transforming the landscape of public health.
Want to know more? Check out our Fact Sheet featuring details on our expanded services, state-of-the-art equipment, and our unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality testing services.
Services and Resources
Contact Information
San Diego Public Health Laboratory
5540 Overland Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 325-6400
Fax: (858) 268-4102
Email: phslaboratory.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov
Water Testing Program
5570 Overland Avenue, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 694-2580
Email: phlabwaters.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Specimen Drop Off: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Before Submitting Samples
- All clients must complete a Client Agreement Form before submitting samples to the laboratory for testing.
- Email completed form to labs.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or fax to (858) 268-4102.
For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the Client Agreement Form:
Guidelines:
- Specimen Collection & Submission Manual: A guide for physicians, nurses, and other allied health personnel in charge of ordering, selecting, and collecting specimens from patients.
- Laboratory Fees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
- Disease Reporting Requirements for Laboratorians
Submitting Samples
For more information, refer to the Specimen Collection & Submission Manual.
Human Clinical Tests:
Environmental Tests:
- Water Testing Program:
One Health:
Emerging Diseases:
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Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
- Once approved by the Immunization Program at (866) 358-2966, testing can be performed on the same day if received in the laboratory by 11:00 am that day.
- Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Specimen Collection and Transport Guide
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Measles
- Once approved by the Immunization Program at (866) 358-2966, testing can be performed on the same day if received in the laboratory by 11:00 am that day.
- Measles PCR: Specimen Collection and Transport Guide
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Mpox
- Prior to sending sample for testing call (619) 692-5500 during regular business hours (M-F 8:00am-5:00pm) and (858) 565-5255 for afterhours, weekend, and holiday approvals.
- MPOX Clade I: Specimen Collection and Transport Guide
A Non-Diagnostic General Health Assessment (NDGHA) program provides health screening to asymptomatic individuals for non-infectious, chronic health conditions and identifies possible risk factors or markers.
How to Register an NDGHA Program:
Operators who would like to register a NDGHA program with the County of San Diego must complete the Registration Form. Completed forms can be emailed to ndgha.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.
After Registration:
Once an Operator has registered with the County of San Diego, they can:
- Submit Event Permit Request Form to ndgha.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.
- If changes are made to an event, submit Changes to Change Notification Form at least 24 hours in advance.
For step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the policy and procedure manual required to register with the County of San Diego:
Mission Statement: To protect the health of the community, prevent the spread of diseases, and facilitate a prompt and well-coordinated response to emerging health threats.
The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) safeguards community health through advanced diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, and environmental monitoring. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and a skilled team, the PHL detects infectious diseases, environmental hazards, and emerging threats supporting prevention, health promotion, and emergency response efforts.
Laboratory Director
Jeremy Corrigan, DrPH HCLD/TS (ABB)
Assistant Laboratory Director
Anna Liza M. Manlutac, MPH TS (ABB)
Assistant Laboratory Director
Samantha Hallis, PhD TS (ABB), SM (ASCP) CM
Program Coordinator
Matthew B. Lui, MPH
Accreditation:
- Approved as a Public Health Laboratory by the State of California
- Certified as a Clinical Laboratory by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)
- Certified as a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved Clinical Reference Laboratory
- Certified as an Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) approved Environmental Testing Laboratory under the TNI Standard
- Certified as a Select Agent Laboratory by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT)
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Laboratory Support for Agency Services
- Clinic support:
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Tuberculosis
- Anonymous and Confidential HIV Antibody Testing
- Child Health & Youth Clinics
- Clearance exams on food handlers, health care and day care workers with infectious diseases
Testing biting animals for rabies - Influenza surveillance in collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State and local Health Departments, World Health Organization, Food and Drug Administration, Clinical and Public Health Laboratories Healthcare providers and hospitals Academic and research institutions
- Testing for human mosquito-borne viral infections
- Regulation of Non-Diagnostic General Health Assessment Programs (e.g., cholesterol and glucose testing in shopping malls)
- Investigation of suspected communicable disease outbreaks (e.g., salmonella in foods, hepatitis, malaria, and measles)
- Investigation of suspected bioterrorism incidents
- Statistical reports for assessing prevalence of diseases
- Clinic support:
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Support of Other County Departments
- Sexually transmitted disease and voluntary HIV testing for Sheriff's detention facilities
- Court ordered HIV testing on incarcerated individuals or suspects that have exposed others
- Bacteriological testing of drinking water and coastal recreational waters for the Department of Environmental Health and other government agencies
- Foodborne illness investigations for the Department of Environmental Health
- Testing for the County Medical Examiner to assist in determining causes of death
- Testing environmental samples for bioterrorism agents
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Services Provided to Community Clinics
- Testing for sexually transmitted diseases
- HIV antibody testing
- HIV viral load testing
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Services Provided to Hospitals and Laboratories
- Identification of enteric pathogens
- Serve as regional reference center for parasite identification
- Confirmatory testing for syphilis
- Support testing of fungi, yeasts, parasites, and unusual bacteria
- Identification of tuberculosis bacteria and drug susceptibility testing
- Molecular typing of bacteria
- Assist in infection control (immune status testing, typing of drug-resistant bacteria)
- Training of laboratory and infection control staff
- Influenza surveillance in hospital emergency rooms
- Rapid identification or rule out of bioterrorism agents
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Services Provided to Private Physicians
- Tuberculosis testing for indigent patients
- Molecular virology
- Consultation
- Influenza surveillance
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Services Provided to Support Academic Institutions
- Present lectures and laboratory instruction at Palomar College, San Diego State University, and UC San Diego School of Medicine
- Student career counseling
- Supervise graduate students
- Participate in joint research projects
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Community Outreach and Support
- Present lectures and demonstrations for schools and community groups
- Answer inquiries from the public
In public health laboratories, PHMs:
- Perform analyses on specimens from humans, as well as from water supplies, food and the environment.
- Provide laboratory support for the surveillance, control and prevention of communicable diseases, and other health hazards in the community.
PHM is one of several subdisciplines within the profession of microbiology that offers great opportunities to impact individual and population health from the county level to the national level.
- Visit Laboratory Field Services for specific application requirements. For career information and academic resources, see ‘Career Info’ on the California Association of Public Health Laboratory Director's website.
- For more information on how to become a part of the training program to become a PHM Microbiologist with the County of San Diego, visit the Junior Public Health Microbiologist application page.
The Public Health Laboratory offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities across diverse roles.
Our team includes professionals such as:
- State Certified Public Health Microbiologists
- Molecular Scientists
- Laboratory Technicians, and
- Individuals specializing in Business Operations, Contracts, Fiscal Management, and Administrative Support.
Explore career opportunities with the County of San Diego.
PHL encourages feedback from its customers.
- Customers can provide feedback through the County of San Diego Customer Experience Survey.
The Waters Testing Program also values client feedback.
- Clients are invited to complete the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire to provide input on the service received.
For more information, contact the County of San Diego Public Health Laboratory via email at phslaboratory.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, or by phone at (858) 325-6400.
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