Where should all animal exposure specimens be submitted?

Submitting all animal exposure specimens to the PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System is essential due to their specialized services in diagnosing diseases affecting wildlife and domestic animals. This laboratory system is equipped to handle specimens that may be indicative of zoonotic diseases, which can pose significant health risks to humans. They have the necessary expertise, protocols, and resources to properly test and analyze specimens for pathogens such as rabies and other infectious agents that could arise from animal interactions.

In contrast, while other facilities may serve various purposes, they might not have the specialized capabilities or focus on the specific needs related to animal exposure testing. For example, public health departments typically manage community health concerns, and laboratories focused on veterinary or animal welfare may not have the depth of diagnostic services required for exposure specimens. Hence, for accurate and relevant analyses regarding animal exposures, the PA Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System is the appropriate choice.