Changes in Weekend/Holiday Staffing at the Rabies Laboratory

Beginning on January 9, 2017, the New York State Department of Health Rabies Laboratory will no longer routinely staff the laboratory on weekends or holidays unless the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control (BCDC) has approved a request for emergency testing.

Requests for emergency testing must be received by 3:00PM on Fridays (or the last business day before a holiday) to ensure Rabies Laboratory staff are aware of an incoming weekend/holiday specimen.

To request emergency testing, please contact BCDC at 518-473-4439 during business hours. For emergency requests during non-business hours please call the NYSDOH Duty Officer at 1-866-881-2809.  

Non-emergency samples received over the weekend/holiday will be stored appropriately and tested the next business day.