Molecular tools based on the detection and manipulation of the genetic information of the virus are becoming more widely accepted and accessible for the diagnosis of rabies. The advent of molecular biology is changing the face of diagnostic virology generally enabling high throughput and short turnaround-time analysis of samples. In the 21 st century, it is expected that diagnostic virology techniques for high throughput rabies virus detection will progress rapidly towards the use of molecular diagnostics replacing more conventional testing techniques such as virus isolation and histopathology. It is also possible that immunological tests, measuring 'surrogate' markers such as cytokines and electrolytes, will augment the standard diagnostic approach; nevertheless they will continue to remain oddities outside the realms of the routine diagnostic laboratory and be confined to a few reference laboratories. Semi-automated or automated instruments and robotics-based techniques are useful when large numbers of the same test are undertaken and these tests will continue to increase in popularity and use, especially in central reference laboratories rather than in each local or regional facility. New technological advances will undoubtedly be faster, more accurate and may, in time, offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional rabies diagnostic tests. These paradigm shifts including modern advances in technology will lead to the effective control of rabies in animals and wildlife [7] (Box 2). This review provides information on some of the latest developments and diagnostic techniques for determining the presence of rabies virus or nucleic acid in diagnostic samples.