This article outlines what we currently know about the spread and prevention of this public health risk in an easy to read Q&A format.
Either read below or download and print thePDF format version.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.
The virus is usually transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal. Prompt and appropriate
treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop the infection
and prevent the disease in humans.
What animals get rabies?
Only mammals can get rabies; birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not. Most
cases of rabies occur in wild animals - mainly skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes.
In recent years, cats have become the most common domestic animal infected with
rabies because many cats are not vaccinated and are exposed to rabid wildlife
while outside. Rabies also occurs in dogs and cattle in significant numbers
and has been diagnosed in horses, goats, sheep, swine and ferrets.
Improved vaccination programs and control of stray animals have been effective
in preventing rabies in most pets. Approved rabies vaccines are available for
cats, dogs, ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep. Licensed oral vaccines have been
used for mass immunization of wildlife with the approval of the state agency
responsible for animal rabies control.
Rabies and Humans
Rabies vaccination and animal control programs, along with better treatment
for people who have been bitten, have dramatically reduced the number of human
cases of rabies in the United States. Most of the relatively few, recent human
cases acquired in this country have resulted from exposures to bats.
Dogs are still a significant source of rabies in other countries. Travelers
should be aware of this risk when traveling outside of the United States.
What you can do to help control rabies?
Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and selective
horses and livestock. Your veterinarian will advise you on the recommended
or required frequency of vaccination in your locality.
Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by not letting your pets roam
free. Don't leave exposed garbage or pet food outside as it may attract wild
or stray animals.
Wild animals should never be kept as pets. Not only may this be illegal
but wild animals pose a potential rabies threat to caretakers and to others.
Observe all wild animals from a distance - even if they appear to be friendly.
A rabid wild animal may appear tame but don't go near it. Not all rabid animals
foam at the mouth and appear mad.
If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report it to the city or county
animal control department.
If your pet has bitten someone
Urge the victim to see a physician immediately and to follow the physician's
recommendations.
Check with your veterinarian to determine whether your pet's vaccinations
are up-to-date.
Report the bite to the local health department and animal control authorities.
If your pet is a cat, dog or ferret, the officials will confine the animal
and watch it closely for ten days. Home confinement may be allowed.
Immediately report any illness or unusual behavior by your pet to the local
health department and your veterinarian.
Don't let your pet stray and don't give your pet away. The animal must be
available for observation by public health authorities or a veterinarian.
After the recommended observation period, have your pet vaccinated for rabies
if it does not have a current rabies vaccination.
If your pet has been bitten by a potentially
rabid animal
Consult your veterinarian immediately and report the bite to local animal
control authorities.
Dogs, cats and ferrets that are currently vaccinated should be revaccinated
immediately, kept under the owner's control, and observed for a period as
specified by state law or local ordinance (normally 45 days or more). Animals
with expired vaccinations will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal may need to
be euthanatized immediately. Alternatively, the animal should be checked,
placed in strict isolation for six months, and vaccinated one month before
being released.
Animals other than dogs, cats, and ferrets that are bitten by a rabid animal
should be euthanatized immediately./li>
If you have been bitten
Don't panic, but don't ignore the bite either. Wash the wound thoroughly
and vigorously with soap and lots of water. Call your physician immediately
and explain how you were bitten and follow the doctor's advice.
Capture the animal under a large box or other container (if that can be
done safely), or try to identify it before it runs away. Once captured, don't
try to pick the animal up. Call the local animal control authorities to collect
the animal.
If it is a wild animal, only try to capture it if you can do so without
getting bitten again. If the animal cannot be contained and must be killed
to prevent its escape, do so without damaging the head. The brain will be
needed to test for rabies.
Report the bite to the local health department.
Your family physician
It is extremely important that you notify your family physician immediately
after an animal bites you. Your physician can find out whether the animal has
been captured. Capture and observation of the animal can affect treatment decisions
for your bite. If necessary, your physician will give you the anti-rabies treatment
recommended by the United States Public Health Service and may also decide to
treat you for other possible infections that could result from the bite.
