5.2.4. What basic supplies do rabies surveillance personnel need in the field?

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 Items for data collection/recording:

• Notebooks and pens
• Digital camera for rapid recording of handwritten data (e.g. hospital and veterinary records).
• Sample submission forms (click here for an example) and ziplock bags for sealing forms.

 Items for sample collection and shipping (see this section for sample collection protocols):

Photo courtesy of KwaZulu-Natal Rabies Project

• Tool box containing the following items:
  • Personal safety: gloves, mask, goggles and overall.
  • Sampling equipment: large and small knives, scissors, forceps, drinking straws, scalpel blades and handles, large bottle (1-2 litres) for soaking instruments, spray bottle (350-500 ml) for disinfecting area and equipment, disinfectant and water bottle (5 litres).
  • Packaging: tubes containing 50% glycerine-saline, tubes containing 10% formalin, mailing containers, plastic ziplock bags, large carcass bags, marker pens and masking tape (for sealing tubes and bags).
  • Waste bags

 Mobile phones for easy communication.

 Handheld Global Positioning Satellite systems (GPSs) are useful for providing location data, but are not absolutely essential.