Rabies:
Rabies Diagnostic Testing at the Wisconsin State
Laboratory of Hygiene
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is the only facility in
the state that performs rabies diagnostic testing on animal specimens.
Because of their frequent contact with humans, domestic pets constitute
the majority of animals submitted for testing (Figure 5). However, the
two primary wildlife reservoirs, bats and skunks, have a much greater
chance of being positive for rabies (Figure 6).
More details on specimen submissions can be found on the
WSLH website at: http://www.slh.wisc.edu/wps/wcm/connect/extranet/comdis/rabies.php
(exit DHS)
Submitters of rabies specimens should note the
following:
-
The entire brain, including brainstem, must be
submitted. Typically the entire head is submitted. For animals that
are squirrel-sized or smaller, the entire animal may be submitted,
but larger animals must be decapitated.
-
The specimen must be shipped on cold packs for next
day (i.e., overnight) delivery. Do not freeze. The WSLH has special
mailing containers available for rabies specimens. The WSLH rabies
submission form should accompany each specimen: http://slh.wisc.edu/outreach/images/rabiesrequisitionsheet.pdf
(exit DHS)
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specimens that arrive on Saturdays prior to 3:00 PM
will be accepted and stored for testing the following Monday unless
prior arrangement for weekend testing have been made through the
Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section
(see "Resources" below).
-
The fee for the rabies test is currently $194.90,
but the fee can be waived by the local health department if there is
a human or domestic animal exposure from a species that is
considered a possible rabies reservoir. For owned animals, the owner
is responsible for the cost of euthanasia, specimen preparation, and
overnight submission.
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Last Revised: November 04, 2008
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