New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories

Overview

The New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories (NH PHL), situated within the Department of Health and Human Services complex on Hazen Drive in Concord, New Hampshire, serves as the state’s principal laboratory for disease prevention and environmental monitoring. This advanced facility provides high-quality testing services to support local, state, and federal agencies, as well as healthcare providers and the general public. Its work is critical in detecting outbreaks, monitoring food and water safety, and responding to biological or chemical threats.

Core Testing Services

Infectious Disease: Testing for viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
Water Analysis: The lab is the primary testing facility for drinking water quality in the state, analyzing samples from private wells and public water systems for contaminants like arsenic, bacteria, and lead.
Environmental Health: Monitoring for arboviruses (Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus) in mosquito populations and testing shellfish for red tide toxins.
Rabies Testing: Providing rapid rabies testing for animals to guide medical decisions for potential human exposures.

Specimen Submission

Residents and authorized providers can submit samples directly to the laboratory. For private well owners, the lab offers water testing kits and accepts drop-offs at the central receiving area. It is crucial to follow specific collection and holding time instructions for water samples to ensure accuracy. The facility also utilizes a courier system for clinical samples from hospitals and healthcare centers across the state.

Emergency Response

As a member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), the NH PHL is equipped to respond to public health emergencies, including bioterrorism events and novel disease outbreaks. The staff works closely with the CDC and state epidemiologists to protect the health of New Hampshire’s population.