The Lab is Moving!
Beginning Thursday, September 25, submit animal specimens to 150 Richmond Street in Providence. Learn more.
Mission
To test animal samples for the rabies virus to determine the possibility of human infection and facilitate rapid prophylaxis.
What we do
- Perform rabies diagnostic testing on animals that have exhibited symptoms of neurological illness and that have either bitten, or come into potential contact with, a person.
- Report findings to the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology in a timely manner to inform the course of treatment for individuals known or suspected of being exposed to rabies.
- Maintain a trained on-call group of scientists to conduct and interpret these results and report them rapidly.
What you should do
- Report animal bites or potential rabies exposures by using the Animal Bites Report Form.
- Submit specimens for rabies testing by using the Rabies Testing Submission Form.
Accomplishments
- In 2022, the laboratory tested 536 animals of which 27 (5.0%) were found to be positive for rabies virus. The highest number of tests occurred during the late summer months, but the data show that rabies-positive animals can be found all year long.
Contact
- For questions about rabies test results: 401-222-2577