Public Health Laboratory
Director: Barbara Cahoon-Young, Ph.D.
Supervisor: Patty McVay, M.D.
Placer County Public Health Laboratory
11475 C Avenue
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 889-7205
Fax: (530) 889-7209
Email: Lab information
About our Laboratory:
The Placer County Public Health Laboratory (PHL) provides analyses aimed at protecting the public's health by assessing the incidence of and preventing the spread of a multitude of infectious diseases in our community. Our laboratory operates both a Biosafety Level- 2 (BSL-2) and a Biosafety Level -3 (BSL-3) component and we participate in the state and federal Laboratory Response Network (LRN) to help maintain a nation-wide emergency response program. The Placer County PHL is staffed with highly trained, experienced, and California-certified Public Health Microbiologists and support staff.
Essential Tests and Referral Services:
Analyses are performed on human specimens and environmental samples such as food, water, insect vectors and other agents that transmit diseases. The Placer County PHL also provides consultation to health care providers, training of medical laboratorians, and monitoring of the quality and safety of shopping mall and drugstore health screening programs.
Laboratory services provided include testing for:
- Rabies
- Lyme disease
- STDs
- Tuberculosis
- Parasitic Diseases
- Salmonella
- Enteric Diseases
- Drugs of Abuse
- Blood Lead
- Environmental Samples/Waters