Form Dhhs 1614 - Rabies Examination - N.c. Department Of Health And Human Services (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

INSTRUCTIONS

PURPOSE: Submission of specimens for rabies testing

SPECIMENS FOR TESTING: Domestic animals exhibiting signs of rabies and wild animals that have

potentially exposed a person, household pet or livestock to rabies should be submitted. Prior approval of

submission, risk management questions, and ordering rabies vaccine for people should be directed to the Public

Health Veterinarian, Communicable Disease Branch, at (919) 733-3419 (phone number available 24/7/365).

PREPARATION: Brain tissue is examined in the diagnosis of rabies; therefore, only the animal’s head should be

submitted for diagnostic purposes. Small animals no larger than a squirrel may be submitted whole. For bats, the

entire dead animal must be submitted. Animals should be euthanized in a manner that will not destroy the

brain. For additional information, see “SCOPE, A Guide to Services” on our website at

com or contact the Virology/Serology Unit at (919) 733-7544.

PREPARATION OF FORM: Please print legibly. To avoid delays in testing, ﬁ ll out all items in Sections 1 through

7 of the submission form. Seal the form in a separate plastic bag and enclose with the specimen. COMPLETE

ONE FORM PER SPECIMEN THAT IS SUBMITTED.

PACKAGING OF SPECIMENS: A full tutorial on the packaging and shipping of specimens for rabies testing

“Guide to Rabies — Packaging and Shipping” is available at

It is critical that specimens be kept cold during shipment; if shipment will be delayed, refrigerate specimen prior to

shipment.

SHIPMENT: Send properly packaged specimen and completed submission form to the Laboratory as soon as

possible. Shipment via State Courier Service is usually the most rapid mode of transport. Shipments via FedEx or

UPS will be accepted by State Capitol Police at the Laboratory (24/7/365). Address all shipping containers using

the special label (white with red lettering) available through the NCSLPH online supply ordering system on our

website at com. This label instructs the transporting service to call the Laboratory upon

arrival and will assure proper handling of the specimen.

PERSONAL DELIVERY OF SPECIMENS: Government agencies and veterinarians may deliver specimens to

the Laboratory at 4312 District Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607 at any time (24/7/365). The individual delivering the

specimen should come to the loading dock area and ring the buzzer at the left side of the loading dock, where

State Capitol Police will receive the package. Please DO NOT leave samples unattended on the dock.

NOTE: Direct submission of specimens from private citizens is discouraged under normal circumstances.

Please contact your local animal control agency or veterinarian to ensure specimens for rabies testing

are properly prepared and packaged for shipping to the laboratory.

DISPOSITION: This form may be destroyed in accordance with Standard 5, Patient Clinical Records, of the

Records Disposition Schedule published by the N.C. Division of Archives and History.

DHHS 1614 (Revised 4/2015)

Laboratory Services (Review 4/2018)

Form Dhhs 1614 - Rabies Examination - N.c. Department Of Health And Human Services Page 2