• English
    X

    Google Translate Disclaimer

    The Maryland Department of Information Technology (“DoIT”) offers translations of the content through Google Translate. Because Google Translate is an external website, DoIT does not control the quality or accuracy of translated content. All DoIT content is filtered through Google Translate which may result in unexpected and unpredictable degradation of portions of text, images and the general appearance on translated pages. Google Translate may maintain unique privacy and use policies. These policies are not controlled by DoIT and are not associated with DoIT’s privacy and use policies. After selecting a translation option, users will be notified that they are leaving DoIT’s website. Users should consult the original English content on DoIT’s website if there are any questions about the translated content.

    DoIT uses Google Translate to provide language translations of its content. Google Translate is a free, automated service that relies on data and technology to provide its translations. The Google Translate feature is provided for informational purposes only. Translations cannot be guaranteed as exact or without the inclusion of incorrect or inappropriate language. Google Translate is a third-party service and site users will be leaving DoIT to utilize translated content. As such, DoIT does not guarantee and does not accept responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability, or performance of this service nor the limitations provided by this service, such as the inability to translate specific files like PDFs and graphics (e.g. .jpgs, .gifs, etc.).

    DoIT provides Google Translate as an online tool for its users, but DoIT does not directly endorse the website or imply that it is the only solution available to users. All site visitors may choose to use alternate tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use DoIT content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk. DoIT is not liable for any loss or damages arising out of, or issues related to, the use of or reliance on translated content. DoIT assumes no liability for any site visitor’s activities in connection with use of the Google Translate functionality or content.

    The Google Translate service is a means by which DoIT offers translations of content and is meant solely for the convenience of non-English speaking users of the website. The translated content is provided directly and dynamically by Google; DoIT has no direct control over the translated content as it appears using this tool. Therefore, in all contexts, the English content, as directly provided by DoIT is to be held authoritative.

    Maryland Department of Health
    Laboratories Administration

    ​​​​

    ​​​Hours of Operation

     The MDH Laboratories Administration Rabies Laboratory operates from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays (Monday through Friday except on holidays. On-call laboratory scientists are available for requests that require test results as soon as possible so that a medical determination on rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be made.

    Specimens must be received at the MDH Laboratories Administration by 12:00 PM on Fridays to have the test results reported by Friday 4:30 PM. Specimens received on Fridays after 12:00 PM will have the results ready the next regular workday.

    Specimens received on evenings from Monday through Friday, Fridays from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM, on a weekend,  or on a State holiday will be processed on the next regular workday, except for situations that require test results as soon as possible so that a medical determination about rabies PEP can be made (emergency examination). In these situations, prior approval by epidemiology staff in the MDH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response (IDEOR) is necessary before testing will be initiated by on-call laboratory scientists. (For details, please see the Emergency Examination Requests section below).

     

    Delivery Procedures

     Delivery of specimens must be from Monday through Friday 7:30AM to 6:00PM (regular workdays) to the MD Department of Health Laboratories Administration Loading Dock at 1770 Ashland Ave Baltimore, Maryland 21205. All animal submission of specimen must be routed through the local health department and sent via courier service. Do not use the U.S. Postal Service or other public transportation service to send specimens. (For emergency examination situations, please see the Emergency Examination Requests section below).​

     

    Ordering Tests

    For routine testing Monday through Friday, all local health departments must use the MDH Laboratories Administration’s MyLIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems)

    (https://starlims3.health.maryland.gov/starlims11.MDlabs.prod/ )

     for submission of specimens. The updated rabies submission form (MDH 1188  08/17) will print out automatically when the animal rabies test is ordered through the MyLIMS system, and must be included in the cooler and attached to the specimen being submitted. One Rabies Submission Form should accompany each animal submitted. Specimens approved for emergency testing must be accompanied by a fully completed handwritten Rabies Submission Form if access to MyLIMS is not possible. An emergency contact name and phone number must be listed on the Rabies Submission Form. The updated rabies submission form (MDH 1188  08/17) can be downloaded from our website ​  http://MDH.maryland.gov/laboratories/Pages/Rabies.aspx.​

     

     

    Criteria for Animal Submission

     Live animals will NOT be accepted in the laboratory.  Terrestrial animals acceptable for submission to MDH are rabies vector species (e.g., raccoons, foxes, skunks, etc.) that expose humans, livestock, or pets. Exposure is defined as a bite that breaks the skin or contact of mucous membranes or broken skin with either animal saliva or nervous tissue. Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians will not be accepted for rabies testing under any circumstances. Small rodents, including squirrels, chipmunks, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats, voles, shrews and moles, will not be accepted for testing unless (1) the animal has bitten a human and (2) prior approval for testing has been authorized by the MDH IDEOR epidemiology staff . Most recent human cases of rabies in the U.S. have been associated with bats, and bat bites may be difficult to recognize

    Bats should be submitted for testing in all cases of direct human contact with a bat or when bite or mucous membrane contact cannot be ruled out.  Live animals will NOT be accepted in the laboratory.  

     

    Emergency Examination Requests

     

    Some situations that occur after regular business hours may require rabies test results as soon as possible so that a medical determination about rabies PEP can be made. In these situations, on-call laboratory scientists are available; and specimens may be examined Fridays from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM, on a weekend, or on a State holiday, with prior approval of MDH IDEOR epidemiology staff. To obtain approval after hours, call the MDH after hours number: 410-795-7365.

    ONLY, after receiving approval for an emergency examination request, contact the Rabies Lab On-Call Number: 443-735-1291

     

    Specimen Collection

     

    Live animals will NOT be accepted in the laboratory.   Animals should be euthanized in a manner that will not destroy the brain tissues to be examined in the diagnosis of rabies. When possible, only the animal’s head should be submitted for diagnostic purposes. For animals weighing more than 20 pounds, particularly large dogs, only the head may be submitted for testing. If an animal is being submitted to MDH Labs from an animal pathology or diagnostic laboratory, and the animal has already been prepared for necropsy, the submitter should submit all or a cross section of the brainstem and half of the cerebrum.

     

    Packaging and Shipping

     

    • All rabies specimens must be placed into coolers that are clearly marked as rabies coolers. No other non-rabies clinical samples may be placed into rabies coolers or these samples will be rejected
    • Rabies coolers must fully close and must be waterproof
    • Each specimen must be individually packaged in a leak- proof bag and clearly labeled.
    • Each specimen must be accompanied by a Rabies Submission Form for proper identification.
    • All Rabies Submission Forms must be filled out correctly and legibly including exposure type.
    • Coolers may be shipped with ice or ice packs but the ice should not occupy more than 1/3 of the cooler.
    • Submitters should provide advanced notice and clear labeling for live bat submissions. All other animals being submitted for testing must be dead.
    • Submitters should avoid freezing specimens. If frozen specimens are received, testing will be delayed.
    • Trash MUST not be sent in rabies coolers.
    • Animal Rabies Packaging and Shipping Training Video
    • Animal Rabies Submission Form​

     

     ​

     ​

    ​​