Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories
Rabies, animal
BPHL conducts testing on animals suspected of having rabies utilizing a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) method.
Analyte(s)
Rabies
Test Code
9940
Testing Location
Testing Department
Rabies
Pre-approval Required?
Yes. Requires prior approval from the county health department (CHD), Epidemiology and notification to the testing lab. Contact your local CHD to start the process for approval.
Required Forms
Rabies Requisition Form DH959 and complete all required fields or
use MerlinCore to create the test order (preferred).
Turn Around Time
1-3 days after receipt at the laboratory.
Specimen Sources
Bat or other very small animal (one pound or less): Entire animal
Small animal (squirrel to large dog): decapitated head
Large animal (larger than a dog, often livestock): brain with brain stem and complete cerebellum
Specimen Labeling
Unique identification number.
Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order.
Special SPecimen Preparation
Specimens must be submitted through the County Animal Care and Control Office.
Treat animal for ectoparasites before decapitating.
After you obtain approval, notify the servicing laboratory, BPHL.JacksonvilleVirology@FLHealth.gov, DLBPHL13Rabies@FLHealth.gov, or DLBPHL29TampaRabies@FLHhealth.gov, that you are sending specimen(s) for testing. Provide what the specimen(s) is /are, the ID number and the tracking number if being shipped or estimated time of arrival for specimens that are couriered.
Storage Conditions
Store specimens at 2-8° C until shipment. DO NOT FREEZE.
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens must be shipped overnight at 2-8° C. Select “Saturday delivery” on packages shipped on Friday.
Bag each head individually in a clear bag. Include enough absorbent in each bag to soak up all potential body fluid such as blood and CSF. Double-bag each specimen and ship in a leak-proof container.
Clearly mark (on the bag) each bagged specimen with a unique identifier matching to the requisition (such as animal ID #) if sending multiple specimens in one shipment.
Place requisitions in a sealed bag to protect from condensation and potential leaks.
unsatisfactory specimen
1) mutilated specimen
2) decomposed specimen
3) grossly contaminated with bacteria
4) incomplete specimen
5) Fixed tissue (such as formalin or formaldehyde)
6) desiccation
Interferences and Limitations
1) mutilated specimen
2) decomposed specimen
3) grossly contaminated with bacteria
4) incomplete specimen
Reference Range
Negative
Result Indicator
Positive
Negative
Inconclusive
Unsatisfactory
Reference lab
CDC if needed
Reflex testing
None
Contact Information
Jacksonville
904-791-1540
904-253-0439, Weekend/Holiday
904-791-1542, Fax
Amanda Davis: 904-891-0735
BPHL.JacksonvilleVirology@FLHealth.gov
Miami
305-325-2536
305-325-2560, Fax
Elesi Quaye: 305-322-1488
DLBPHL13Rabies@FLHealth.gov
Tampa
813-233-2282
813-233-2379, Fax
Gail Scilabro: 813-477-7233
Marshall Cone: 813-833-5112
DLBPHL29TampaRabies@FLHealth.gov