Rabies Specimen Submission Guidelines for Veterinarians

Veterinarians may submit brains, heads, or whole bodies from mammals suspected of rabies infection to the Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ILVDL) for testing. The ILVDL provides fee-based testing, with costs payable by the submitting clinic or agency. Please consult the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines to determine whether your specimen should be submitted to an IDPH laboratory or to the ILVDL.

IDPH Updated Guidelines:

    ILVDL Fees for Rabies testing:

  Rabies FA Test: $32.00

         Brain Removal Fee: $30.00

    Submission Fee: $10.00

           For STAT/Rush testing please contact the lab.

          Additional fees may apply for whole body disposal or

          returm of remains (with negative results ONLY).

Please review the information below to ensure the integrity of the sample and timely results.

Specimen Preparation and Handling

• Brain Removal:
  • For whole body and head submissions, the brain will be removed by our Receiving staff for a fee.
  • If brain removal is performed by the submitting DVM, please note that both the complete brainstem and cerebellum are required for accurate testing.
  • Individuals performing removals must:
    • Be immunized against rabies.
    • Be properly trained in handling potentially infected animals.
    • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid exposure.

Packaging Instructions

To prevent contamination, damage, or delay:

1. Primary Container:

• Use a sealed, watertight container.
• Heavy-gauge plastic bags are acceptable only if triple-bagged and leakproof.

2. Absorbent Material:

• Surround specimen containers with adequate absorbent material to contain leaks.

3. Secondary & Outer Packaging:

• Place the primary container inside a rigid outer container.
• Include sufficient cold packs to maintain refrigeration (35°F / 1.6°C).
• The shipping container must be labeled with: UN3373 – Biological Substance, Category B. Please contact your courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS) for additional information if needed.

4. Important Notes:

• DO NOT use dry ice.
• Multiple specimens may be shipped in one box if refrigeration is maintained.
• If immediate shipping is not possible, freeze the specimen to preserve tissue integrity - this is not preferred and can delay testing. Do not freeze bats. 
• Do not ship specimens to arrive on weekends or holidays.
  Ship on Thursdays only if guaranteed overnight delivery is available.

Sample Quality Requirements

• Frozen Samples:
  • Samples received frozen will be defrosted before testing, which may cause delays.
• Decomposed or Desiccated Samples:
  • These may be unsuitable for testing.
  • Final determination is made by ILVDL Receiving and Virology staff in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Required Documentation

Every rabies submission sent to the ILVDL must be accompanied by complete and legible paperwork:

• Include the following form:
  • VDL Submission Form
• Ensure all sections are filled out, including:
  • Species and exposure information (if applicable)
  • Submitting veterinarian’s contact information
  • An email address for test results

Place submission forms outside the secondary container or seal them in a separate waterproof bag inside the package to prevent contamination.

Shipping Address:

UI Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

2001 S. Lincoln Ave

Urbana, IL 61802

Attn: Specimen Receiving

Public Health Laboratory Submissions (Human Exposure Cases)

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Laboratories will only test rabies specimens that meet specific public health risk criteria. Do not submit specimens to IDPH laboratories unless they fall into one of the categories below.

IDPH Will Accept the Following Specimens:

1. High-Risk Species
Confirmed exposure of a person via bite or saliva entering a wound or mucous membrane:

• Bat
• Raccoon
• Skunk
• Fox
• Coyote
• Groundhog
• Neurologic animals not listed above (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)**

2. Bats, under any of the following conditions:

• Found in the same room as a sleeping person
• Physical contact occurred, and a bite cannot be ruled out
• Found in an area with:
  • A pet
  • A small child
  • A person with cognitive impairment
  • An intoxicated person
  • Any individual unable to accurately report or recall the interaction
  • Found in a setting where individuals may experience significant anxiety that could result in unnecessary post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if the bat is not tested

3. Dog, cat, or ferret:  

• All dogs, cats or ferrets must be confined for 10 days after they have bitten a person. Therefore, these animals cannot be submitted for testing unless:
  • They do not survive the 10-day confinement 
  • They develop signs of rabies during the 10-day confinement
  • The bite is unprovoked (unexpected)**
• The following are examples of provoked (expected bites):
  • Moving past animal on a bike, skateboard or running,
  • Taking food away from the animal, 
  • Handling for veterinary or grooming interactions, 
  • Getting between two animals fighting
  • Or many other possible scenarios
• Unique situations**, including bites from other species and other special circumstances

**Requires approval from local or state public health communicable disease personnel.

All other specimens, including those from low-risk species or submitted for routine surveillance, should be sent to the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ILVDL).

IDPH Laboratory Contact Information

Carbondale Laboratory

1155 S. Oakland Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-5131

Chicago Laboratory

2121 W. Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612
312-793-4746

Springfield Laboratory

825 N. Rutledge, Springfield, IL 62702
217-782-6562

After-Hours Emergency Contact (All Locations):
1-800-782-7860

Questions?

For assistance with rabies submission requirements or sample handling:
IDPH Website

ILVDL Business office:

217-333-1620