Where should animal heads be sent for Rabies testing?
Specimens should be sent to the Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Laboratory at 302 S. Monroe St., Little Rock. The head of the animal suspected to be infected with the rabies virus must be removed before submission to the laboratory. Do not shoot or damage the animal head in any form as it may result in rejection of the specimen. It is recommended that a veterinarian remove the animal’s head. Whole animals are not acceptable. After removal of the head, the head must remain refrigerated, not frozen, until the laboratory can process the specimen. Specimens can be taken to a local health unit for submission. The local health units for each county are responsible for shipment of the animal head to the laboratory. ADH courier service is provided for all health units in the state and will pick up rabies specimens for delivery to the laboratory. Each health unit should have shipping containers consisting of an insulated bucket (secondary container) containing a gel pack, watertight
