Water Pipe Break At IDPH Chicago Laboratory

Testing capability being assessed

CHICAGO – A water pipe in the building that houses the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Chicago Laboratory at 2121 W. Taylor St. in Chicago burst Sunday morning, damaging several areas of the laboratory and pieces of equipment.  IDPH has notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Illinois Central Management Services. Emergency clean-up crews are on site. 

The IDPH Chicago laboratory performs testing for environmental hazards, arboviruses, pathogens, newborn screening, novel diseases and potential biological threat agents.  Examples include Zika virus, Ebola, Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, influenza, measles, tuberculosis, meningitis, rabies, cystic fibrosis, plague, environmental lead, and more.

IDPH is assessing which tests can continue and those that will require alternative arrangements.  IDPH has two other laboratories, one in Springfield and one in Carbondale.

IDPH will continue to ensure uncompromised, high-quality test results and will provide more information as it becomes available. 

Health care providers may use the contact information above to track submitted samples.

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