Is There A Test That The Department Of Health Can Test Animal Blood

Contact the Rabies Unit

The Rabies Unit is open up from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Fri. It is closed on weekends and holidays.

rabies.PHEL@doh.nj.gov

(609) 530-8416hotline

For emergency rabies testing, contact the Communicable Disease Service Rabies Atomic number 82 at 609-826-4871 or 609-826-4882.

Did you know?

• The PHEL Rabies Unit tests nigh 3,000 animals each year
• Rabies occurs near often in wild animals
• Among domestic animals, cats are the nigh often positive
• Wild fauna tested include raccoons, bats, skunks, groundhogs and foxes
• Among wildlife, raccoons are near often positive for rabies
• Fewer than 1 percent (1%) of bats carry rabies in New Jersey
• PHEL tests livestock and domesticated wildlife
• The test for rabies is performed on fauna brain tissue
• PHEL utilizes the Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) method
• Rabies testing follows the CDC standardized testing protocol
• Highly trained laboratory personnel perform rabies testing
• Testing is done nether strict bioSafety standards
• Sample handling and disposal follows WHO/CDC Standards

Rabies Testing

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the primal nervous systems of humans and other mammals. The virus is transmitted through the bite or exposure to tissue, saliva or any body fluids from an infected animal. The highest gamble exposure involves a bite, a scratch, or other break in the skin. This results in direct exposure to the virus in the infected animal'southward saliva, tissue, or other body fluids. Infected animals tin can be very aggressive and may attack humans, pets, or other animals without provocation.

If left untreated, rabies is fatal in humans and animals. Therefore, following an exposure, rapid and authentic laboratory testing of the infected creature is ESSENTIAL for prompt and appropriate preventive handling in humans.

• Rabies Testing at PHEL
  
• Signs of Possible Rabies Infection in Animals
  
• How does the laboratory test for Rabies?
  
• Submitting Specimens for Testing
  
• Mutual Issues That Filibuster Reporting
  
• Regulatory
  

Rabies Testing at PHEL

The Rabies Unit of the Public Health and Ecology Laboratories (PHEL) facilitates human prophylaxis programs AND supports rabies prevention and command programs in animal populations.  It is the only rabies TESTING laboratory in New Jersey.

The Rabies Unit is responsible for providing safe, accurate and timely laboratory testing of the rabies virus in brute (not human) tissue.

The Rabies Unit works closely with the Catching Disease Service (CDS) too as Local Wellness Departments (LHD), veterinarians and animal control officers across the state. PHEL is required to written report all positive rabies results directly to the appropriate LHD and to CDS.

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Signs of Possible Rabies Infection in Animals

If you encounter an animal that you suspect may have rabies,
practise i or more than of the following:

 ane) Contact your Local Wellness Section

 ii) Contact an Animal Control Officer

 iii) Call Non-emergency police force contact

Signs of rabies virus in animals may vary by species and stage of the disease.

The most obvious signs and behaviors associated with rabies in animals (wild or domestic) is aberrant beliefs, such equally:

• Nonspecific symptoms including sluggishness, fever, vomiting, paralysis, seizures, anorexia, difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wild animals that seem unusually tame or unafraid of an budgeted person or domestic brute
• Nocturnal animals such as: skunks, foxes, or bats, that are out and agile during daylight hours
• Animals behaving strangely such as moving in circles, excessive salivation, aggression, air biting or self-mutilation
• Bats that are unable to wing or have been caught by a domestic animal (for example a domestic domestic dog or cat)
• Animals that accept difficulty walking, eating or drinking

Fortunately, rabies mail service exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with man rabies immune globulin (if given in a timely fashion following exposure) and human rabies vaccine tin can exist constructive in treating and preventing rabies, respectively.

Following an exposure, rapid and accurate laboratory testing of the infected animate being is essential to enable appropriate preventive treatment in humans.

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How does the laboratory test for Rabies?

Rabies testing and diagnosis is done exclusively using postmortem beast brain tissue. The PHEL Rabies Unit follows the CDC'southward National Standard for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Rabies and disposal of specimen materials. The diagnostic procedure followed is the Straight Fluorescent Antibody Testing https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/pdf/rabiesdfaspv2.pdf

Antigen detection by "dFA"

The dFA examination is based on the observation that animals infected by rabies virus will accept rabies virus proteins (antigens) nowadays in the brain tissue.  The examination uses a fluorescent marker-labeled anti-rabies antibody. When labeled antibody is incubated with rabies-doubtable brain tissue, it will bind to the rabies antigens. Any unbound antibiotic is then washed away and areas where antigens are present in the brain tissue can exist visualized as specific patterns of apple tree-green cell staining using a fluorescent microscope (come across below, left). If rabies virus is absent there will be no staining (meet below, right).  In that location are unique patterns of staining and the interpretation of findings requires extensive training, routine proficiency testing, CDC training and concurrent interpretations of results between qualified "readers".

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Submitting Specimens for Testing

Important information regarding specimen submission

Note:  Once submitted, specimens and associated materials are managed as regulated biological waste and MUST be incinerated (see NJ regulatory guidance).  The rabies laboratory processes many specimens each day, each may contain or go contaminated with highly pathogenic organisms (including several pathogens currently classified equally "select agents").  One time accessioned into the rabies Unit any additional manipulation, or handling, places staff at increased risk and increases the likelihood of human mistake in reporting.  All rabies unit procedures accept been Bio-Saftey Risk Assessed to assure proper specimens handling and disposal of contaminated materials.  This protects both staff and the public from potential exposure to unsafe pathogens.

No tissue, caput or carcass can be returned to providers, the public or veterinarians.

Current Rabies Sample Submission Guidelines include the following:

• Just decapitated animate being volition exist accepted for rabies testing, except for bats, which shall be submitted intact.   Even small animals eastward.yard., kittens will demand to be decapitated.  Whatsoever animal not decapitated volition be required to be picked up (WITHIN 24 HOURS) by the sender-provider, for decapitation of the brute, prior to testing.
• All not-bat, rabies samples (heads) must be drained of blood before packaging for timely shipment to PHEL
• Each sample must be accompanied by a fully completed VIR-16 Form; including the canton of exposure.
  A completed grade will assure that testing can be performed promptly and that results are routed correctly.
• When possible, conform for commitment to PHEL by, or before, Thursday morning, to facilitate prompt testing and reporting.
• Delight inform all persons who package specimens to follow the PHEL packaging instructions for rabies specimens.

  Compliance with ALL required packaging instructions is mandatory:

  https://www.nj.gov/health/forms/vir-16instr_2.pdf

  The following list identifies specific things that can significantly filibuster testing:

1. In order to protect the Rabies Unit of measurement staff, do non wrap live bats in towels.
2. Practice not freeze samples, freezing delays testing and increases the adventure that samples will be unsatisfactory for testing.
3. Place specimens in a watertight containers such equally a leak-proof, coffee can, not something that sharp teeth can puncture, for example a thin plastic handbag.
4. During hot weather, pack the outer surface of a specimen container with sealed coolant packs
5. Ensure that a fully completed and legible current (April 2016) VIR-16 course
   ( https://www.nj.gov/health/forms/vir-16.PDF ) accompanies each specimen and is placed in a Divide sealed water proof handbag.
6. Samples received without a completed VIR-16 course cannot exist processed until a completed VIR-16 form is received past PHEL. This will delay rabies testing.
7. Make sure that your FAX car is maintained, that you have provided the correct number and it is in working properly.
8. Ensure that all scalpels or instruments used to decapitate are removed from packaging material.

Specimens should not exist sent to the PHEL without consulting with the Local Wellness Section (LHD) where the rabies incident occurred.
A directory of LHDs is posted online: www.localhealth.nj.gov.

Packaging and Shipping:

1. Specimens accepted for rabies testing: whole bats, animal heads.
2. BATS

• Whole (alive or dead)
• Must be placed inside a solid, escape proof container less than i gallon/128 ounces size (ideally a regular sized java can with a tight-fitting lid)
• LIVE BATS

              Must exist kept in a container with breathing holes on the lid and clearly labeled "CAUTION Alive BAT"

CAUTION:

- Do not hinder access with packing textile or cloth.

- No wrapping of whatsoever kind

- No newspapers, trash, **glue traps

- Do not place on ice, bag, or freeze live bats

- Do not seal, mucilage, trounce or stack live bats

- If you are non sure a bat is dead then treat it as Live

• Dead bats: follow aircraft guidelines for All Other Animal Samples

 ALL OTHER Animal SAMPLES

• All animals of any size MUST be decapitated, no exceptions
• Spray heads for ticks/fleas prior to packaging just do not use insecticides that contain Permethrin
• Proceed refrigerated or add enough ice packs
• Do non freeze
• If adventitious freezing, continue frozen, do not thaw
• NEVER keep at room temperature
• Identify 1^st in a watertight container such as a heavy plastic bag tightly secured, or a not-brittle container (NO Glass) with a tight-plumbing equipment lid
• Identify this container in a larger, waterproof, non-brittle container (NO Glass) and in the infinite between the two containers, add coolant packs, practise not use Dry out ICE or ice in plastic bags
• Leaking or improperly packaged specimens cannot exist shipped to other Public Wellness Laboratories
• Specimens in transit for more than 12hrs must exist placed in a secondary insulated container
• Couriers are instructed not to selection up specimens that are improperly packaged
• Avoid delays, submitters must ensure specimens are packaged properly
• If individuals are exposed to fluid, such as leakage from an brute caput, or a splash or cut during specimen preparation and packaging, they should
  IMMEDIATELY WASH THE EXPOSED AREA THOROUGHLY WITH Soap AND WATER. The proper noun and phone number of the exposed private(s) should be
  added to the VIR-16 form, along with the type of exposure that occurred

Additional Information:

All persons submitting animals for Rabies testing should be well informed on how Rabies testing will be performed on the animal, including pet and companion animals.

NOTE: Once submitted, contaminated tissues are managed every bit regulated medical waste and are incinerated, no tissue or office of whatsoever sample can be returned in one case accessioned into the Rabies Unit for testing.  Fauna tissues that have been sent for Rabies virus testing may either contain or be contaminated past many types of highly pathogenic organisms, including organisms currently identified as "select agents", samples may accept undergone significant degeneration and consequent bacterial overgrowth.  Additional manipulation or unnecessary handling of discarded fabric places staff at hazard and increases the possibility of cross contamination within the laboratory.

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Mutual Bug That Delay Reporting

• Samples non delivered inside 24 hours of a high run a risk exposure
• Improper sample drove and/or submission:
  • Bats in gum traps
  • Alive bats wrapped in a towel
  • Inhumane submissions of live bats
  • Damaged samples, eastward.g., missing areas of the encephalon, missing or destroyed head, decomposed or dessicated specimens
  • Packaging that exposes all participants in chain of custody
  • Blood not tuckered
  • Beast specimens (excluding bats) submitted whole and non decapitated
  • Decapitation tools or other sharp objects left in packaging
  • Send boxes contaminated by biohazard leaks
  • Mislabeled, unlabeled or unidentified specimens
  • Frozen specimens
  • Specimens submitted without ice or with insufficient water ice, particularly in warm atmospheric condition conditions
• Documentation and paperwork:
  • Missing VIR-xvi
  • Out-of-state forms
  • Incomplete form
  • Illegible or cryptic information on form

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Regulatory

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Source: https://www.nj.gov/health/phel/public-health-lab-testing/rabies

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