Skip to main content Skip to site navigation
San Mateo County Health
Helping everyone in San Mateo County live longer & better lives.
Menu
Search

Lab Services

Overview

Public Health Laboratory

Public Health Laboratory serves as a first line of defense to protect the public against communicable diseases and other health hazards. We provide clinical diagnostic testing, environmental testing, emergency response support, applied research, laboratory training and other essential services to the community in a respectful, timely and cost effective manner.

Please note, the Public Health Laboratory is temporarily not offering tick testing. 

General information

Walk-in Services

Arthropod/Insect Identification

Test fee is $25 per specimen. Public Health Laboratory can identify most medically important arthropods and insects, including ticks. Testing appropriate ticks for the presence of the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease is included in the fee. Please download and complete the Arthropod Test Order Form.

*Please note, the Public Health Laboratory is temporarily not offering tick testing.*

Rabies Testing

Public Health Laboratory is providing rabies testing and work closely with Animal Control Division as well as Peninsula Humane Society (SPCA). Please download and complete the Animal Bite Report Form.

Water Testing

Membrane filtration for detection of coliforms in drinking water, testing for various indicator bacteria in soil and surface water samples, Coliform Presence/Absence Test, Nitrates & Nitrites. Please download and complete the Environmental Water Test Request Form 2020