Rabies Testing
Animal Bites and Rabies Risk:
A Guide for Health Professionals

On this page:
Guidelines for submitting suspect animals for rabies testing
Laboratory testing, result reporting, and positive result follow-up
Rabies testing in humans
 

Guidelines for submitting suspect animals for rabies testing

• The only test for rabies in animals that may be used to guide human rabies risk analysis is the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test.
  • There is no live animal test for rabies.
  • The animal’s brain, specifically the entire section of the cerebellum, hippocampus, and brainstem are required to perform the DFA test.
  • The brain must be relatively fresh and in good condition, as the test cannot be done reliably if the different regions of the brain are not discernable.
• The Rabies Specimen Submission Form provides complete instructions on specimen handling and submission.

Laboratory testing, result reporting, and positive result follow-up

• There is a $22.00 fee per animal and a $10.00 fee per accession payable to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) for rabies testing by the DFA test. Multiple animals submitted from a related situation (bats from one location, litter of kittens, etc.) will be charged one accession fee. Out-of-state submissions cost $34.20. An additional fee of $25 will be charged for after-hours drop-off of specimens.
   
• Results for specimens received at the VDL before 11:00 a.m. will be available the next business day by 2 p.m. Results for specimens received after 11:00 a.m. will be available in two business days.
   
• Expedited testing is available in emergency situations. Healthcare providers, veterinarians, public health or law enforcement may contact Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Zoonotic Diseases Unit at 651-201-5414 to discuss the need for an expedited test.
   
• Positive rabies reports are telephoned immediately to the veterinarian, healthcare provider, or other submitter listed on the Rabies Specimen Submission Form.
   
• Positive test results are reported to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
   
• Situations involving laboratory-confirmed rabies positive animals are investigated, evaluated, and managed by MDH epidemiologists and BAH veterinarians.
   
• Negative rabies reports are emailed or mailed to the submitter within 1 business day of completion of the test.

Rabies testing in humans

• Testing for diagnosis of rabies in humans is performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please telephone the MDH Zoonotic Diseases Unit at 651-201-5414 for assistance with human rabies specimen submission and testing.
• Do not submit specimens for Rapid Fluorescent Foci Inhibition Test (RFFIT) or other antibody testing available at commercial reference laboratories. This test is only used to assess vaccine efficacy for persons who have received the rabies PrEV or PEP regimen.