Get Ohio Department Of Health Rabies Testing Forms

Test results are available within 1 to 2 business days and only 3% to 4% of bats test positive for rabies.

The direct fluorescent antibody test (dFA) is the test most frequently used to diagnose rabies. This test requires brain tissue from animals suspected of being rabid and can only be performed post-mortem.

Bat-strain rabies is present everywhere in Ohio with rabid bats having been identified from nearly all of Ohio's counties over the years. In 1997, a new strain of rabies in wile raccoons was introduced into northeastern Ohio from Pennsylvania.

(a) No person who owns a dog, cat, or ferret in the Health District shall fail to vaccinate the dog, cat, or ferret against rabies within 30 days after the dog, cat, or ferret has reached the age of 3 months.

OAC 3701-3-29(4) states: Any dog, cat, or ferret bitten by a known rabid mammal, or that had reasonable probability to have been bitten by a wild carnivorous mammal or bat that is not available for rabies testing shall be regarded as having been exposed to the rabies virus.

Animals. The ODH Laboratory performs testing of animals for rabies. Contact the ODH Laboratory at (888) 634-5227 Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM for specimen submission criteria. Include a completed Rabies Test Submission Form (HEA 2539) with each specimen submitted.

Tests are performed on samples of saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies of hair follicles at the nape of the neck. Saliva can be tested by virus isolation or reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum and spinal fluid are tested for antibodies to rabies virus.

Diagnosis in humans Saliva can be tested by virus isolation or reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum and spinal fluid are tested for antibodies to rabies virus. Skin biopsy specimens are examined for rabies antigen in the cutaneous nerves at the base of hair follicles.