12 May 2026

Hantavirus important information

Guidance has been taken from UKHSA RIPL Porton Down to provide important information 
for all queries relating to Hantavirus.

Should a patient present at your practice, or require you to raise a query about testing for this virus, before taking a sample it would be important for the referring doctor to discuss the patient’s details with Porton Down. In discussion, Porton Down will take into account the details provided by you and advise on acceptance of any samples. No sample will be accepted by Porton Down without a clinical discussion. TDL cannot accept samples or provide advice on your behalf, and will confirm the requirement that your patient’s queries must be addressed directly by Porton Down.

Please do not direct patients to Patient Reception in Wimpole Street for samples to be taken. For advice or information about HANTAVIRUS please contact UKHSA RIPL Porton Down.

Contact details

Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) 
UK Health Security Agency 
Porton Down 
Salisbury 
Wiltshire 
SP4 0JG 
United Kingdom 

Tel: 01980 612348

Turnaround time

Their current published TAT is 7 working days (this may increase based on their workload) 

Porton Down’s Serology and PCR test prices 

Hantavirus Antibodies/Serology: £179.09

Hantavirus Real-time PCR: £194.86 

TDL’s Head of Referrals, Maulik Trivedi, will not be able to provide information to Porton Down on your behalf or advise on patient management. Samples, if taken by your practice, will need to be sent directly to Porton Down. Samples that are received by TDL without prior notice or agreement will be referred to UKHSA RIPL Porton Down and charged at their price.

Maulik Trivedi, Head of Referrals
E: Maulik.Trivedi@tdlpathology.com
T: +44 (0)20 7307 7380  M: +44 (0)7973 946 590