Summer - United States Special Operations Command

LTC Bill Bosworth, DVM, USSOCOM VeterinarianCOL Newton has brought up a great topic on theForce Health Protection measures we take to protectservice members against rabies. I’m going to expandupon his article by outlining the procedures to submit asample for rabies testing to the two DOD veterinary laboratoriesfrom theater. The contact information for bothlabs is listed at the end of this article.The process for submitting samples fromAfghanistan and Iraq is well established, and the theaterVeterinary Treatment Facilities (VTFs) submit samplesto the Veterinary Laboratory-Europe (VLE) on a weeklybasis. It is best to let the Medical Detachments, VeterinaryServices (MDVS) in those areas submit samples thatyou have, rather than try to submit them on your own.For contingency operations in areas that do not have aconventional veterinary unit presence, it is recommendedthat the unit conduct a “dry run” sample submission.This will identify any areas where the sample can be delayed,such as foreign customs offices. When submittinga dry run sample submission, notify the laboratory thatyou are sending it to, use the same shipping materials youwould use in a real submission, and submit somethingthe same approximate size and weight as an animal head,such as a five pound ham or turkey breast. The use offood will give the lab an idea if the sample can maintainthe proper temperature during shipping. You can contactthe closest theater VTF or either laboratory if you haveany questions about how to submit a sample.Here is the extract from the Laboratory SubmissionGuide to submit a brain for rabies testing at either ofthe two labs:7-3. Diagnostic Samples (Blood,serum and tissue samples)a. Rabies Diagnosis Sample -brain tissueb. Submit all requests for rabiesdiagnosis testing on DD Form 2620,“Request for and Report of LaboratoryRabies Test” (electronic form availableat http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2620.pdf).c. Wild animals, domesticateddogs and cats (whose owners cannot bereadily identified) that have exposed aperson should be euthanized immediatelyupon capture and submitted fortesting.d. Preparation of Specimen:(1) Decapitate the animal andplace the head in a plastic bag and seal.Place the sealed specimen in a secondheavy plastic bag and seal the secondbag. Send the entire carcass of small animalssuch as bats.(2) Refrigerate immediately.Freezing animal specimens is not recommendedunless a delay in shipment isexpected.e. Packing Shipping Containers:(1) Add sufficient refrigerantto an insulated shipping container tomaintain a temperature of 0 to 4°C duringtransit.USSOCOM Veterinarian101