Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
PADLS User Guide Special Services Rabies Testing
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7.1 Rabies Testing

Rabies testing for livestock and non-human exposure cases is performed at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory (PVL) in Harrisburg, telephone number 717-787-8808. Note that the following non-PADLS laboratories also perform rabies testing in Pennsylvania.

1. Allegheny County Department of Laboratories, 3441 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 412-578-8070
   This laboratory provides testing for human and non-human exposure cases from Allegheny County only.

2. Philadelphia Department of Health Laboratory, 5000 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; 215-685-6740
   This laboratory provides testing on human and non-human exposure cases from within Philadelphia City limits.

3. PA Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, 110 Pickering Way, Lionville, PA 19353; 610-280-3464
   This laboratory provides testing for human exposure cases only.

If human exposure has occurred, specimens for rabies testing should be submitted directly to the appropriate testing laboratory above whenever possible. Call for submission instructions specific to each laboratory. Human exposure cases received at PVL, PSU and NBC will be forwarded to the PA Department of Health laboratory in Lionville for examination.

Human exposure is considered to have occurred if:

• A bite has been inflicted.
• The animal's saliva has made contact with a fresh, open wound, mucous membrane, or the eye.
• Severe scratches by teeth or claws have broken the skin.

Acceptable specimens

Carcasses, heads or brains are acceptable submissions for rabies testing at PVL. Bats should always be submitted intact for identification purposes. No live animals will be accepted for rabies testing. Specimens should be refrigerated (not frozen) as soon as possible after death. If further diagnostic work is to follow a negative rabies test (for safety, no additional tests are performed on specimens after a positive rabies test), the laboratory must be informed at the time of submission, to ensure that proper tissues are saved. No part of any animal submitted for rabies testing will be returned, regardless of test results.

How to submit specimens for rabies testing

Hand delivery of specimens for rabies testing, carcasses or appropriate portions, to a PADLS laboratory between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays is recommended when possible. Whole animal carcasses or appropriate portions from both 'human exposure' and 'non-human exposure' suspects can also be delivered to PSU or NBC for collection of brain tissues for forwarding to the appropriate testing laboratory.

Facilities (cooler, forms) are available for submitting specimens after hours (weekends or evenings) for processing on the next business day.

Rabies specimens (less than 20 lbs) may also be delivered to any PDA regional office to be forwarded to the proper testing laboratory. Euthanasia and decapitation, if necessary, should be performed by the local veterinarian at the submitter's expense before presentation to the Regional office.

Courier service for specimens for rabies testing

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has contracted with Quick Courier (phone 1-800-355-1004, account number 44155) to carry samples for rabies testing from Pennsylvania veterinarians or private citizens to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg. The laboratory will pay the fee for shipment by the contracted courier.

When the courier service is used, federal packing regulations apply. For additional information call PVL at 717-787-8808.

Packaging of specimens for rabies testing

Please see Labeling and Packaging guidelines. Specimens being hand-delivered should be in a waterproof container. If plastic bags are used, double bagging is necessary to prevent puncture by claws, teeth or bone fragments. For shipment via courier, double bag the specimen in a leak proof container and then place in a rigid container. Federal regulations apply. If leakage occurs during shipment, the packager may face prosecution, even if the shipped material is not hazardous. For additional information call PVL at 717-787-8808.

Please use the Submission Form. Every rabies sample must be accompanied by the following information:

• Name, address and phone number of any person(s) exposed.
• Name, address and phone number of submitter/owner of animal.
• Name, address and phone number of any veterinarian or physician involved, if different from submitter.
• Animal species, history, vaccination status, and clinical signs noted.

Results

The result of rabies testing on the brain is provided by phone and by mail to the submitter of the case. If the test is positive, the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services and the Department of Health are also notified. Quarantine of animals, if necessary, is administered by PDA Regional offices.

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