(Click image or here to download the Rabies submission form)
Brains from livestock and cervids and heads or brains from small animals suspected of having rabies can be sent through the mail or other couriers to the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for rabies testing. However, in addition, cases of human exposure or strong clinical evidence of rabies can be sent to the three Illinois public health laboratories:
Oakland and Chautauqua Streets
P. O. Box 2797
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Phone: 618-457-5131
2121 West Taylor
Chicago, Illinois 60612
Phone: 312-793-4746
825 North Rutledge
P.O. Box 19435
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9435
Phone: 217-782-6562
Division Chief: 217-467-7072
Place the specimen in a sealed, watertight container. Use of a heavy gauge plastic bag is acceptable as long as it is triple bagged. The container should be placed in sufficient ice to maintain a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The specimen should be surrounded by adequate absorbent material should there be leakage. Make sure a completed Suspect Rabies Specimen Case History form accompanies the specimen.