Rabies Information - Veterinarians

For more information call the Environmental Health Division at 513.946.7832

Staff in Hamilton County Public Health’s Environmental Health Division receive and track information concerning biting mammals and work with the Cincinnati Area Veterinarian Association to establish rabies policies such as the quarantine vet-release program.

Rabies Testing

Any time a person is bitten or scratched by a domestic or wild mammal the incident must be reported to the local Health District. The heads of mammals involved in biting incidents should never be shipped to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for testing without first notifying the local Health District.

Procedure for shipping a mammal head 

  1. Call US Cargo, (513) 242-7050 (nationwide: 1-888-USCARGO), to arrange for rabies specimen pickup. For same day pick up/next day delivery, call as early as possible, preferably before noon the same day. Because ODH lab staff are not available to maintain specimens over the weekend, specimens should not be shipped Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Refrigerate the specimen and ship on Monday. 
  2. Complete Rabies Test Submission Report. All individuals listed under “humans exposed” must be reported to the local Health District. The Health District also has copies of the submission report. Call (513) 946-7848 to request a copy. Please isolate the submission report from the specimen so it does not become contaminated (i.e., place submission form in zip lock bag inside the package). 
  3. Pack specimen in a styrofoam container with a cold source. Include Rabies Test Submission Report with specimen shipment. ODH charges a $30 fee to test pet/wild rodents (gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, shrews, and moles). ODH will cover shipping and applicable testing fees for most other mammals (raccoons, dogs, cats, bats). 
  4. Fill out a US Cargo bill of lading label (BOL). Press firmly. When calling for a pickup you must request a BOL. Complete the BOL properly. Enter correct weight: 
  • packages less than 10 lbs. are $14 
  • packages over 10 lbs. are $20 
  • if no weight is entered ODH is charged the higher fee

    Change account code to read rabies: 
  • pre-printed BOLs read DPTIDC 
  • change to rabies 
  • incorrect codes will be billed back to the shipper (you)

    Send specimen to:
    Ohio Department of Health
    8995 East Main Street, Building 22
    Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
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Report a Bite

  • Mammal bites should be reported immediately to the Health District by calling the Zoonosis and Rabies Report Line: (513) 946-7848. This number is available to Hamilton County residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and contains important information about rabies. Callers may leave a message for Health District staff and can expect a reply within one business day. 
  • To fax a bite report : (513) 946-7891
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