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Rabies Causes and Risks:
Rabies is transmitted by infected saliva that enters the body by a bite or open wound . The virus travels from the wound along nerve pathways to the brain where it causes inflammation that results in the symptoms of the disease. The incubation period ranges from 10 days to 7 years, with the average period 3 to 7 weeks. In the past human cases usually resulted from a dog bite but most recently cases of human rabies have been linked to rabies virus carried by bats. Bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and other animals are other sources of rabies virus. There are an estimated 15,000 cases of rabies worldwide each year. Few cases occur in the U.S. (only 3 reported in 1991 and 9 in 1994) because of the extensive animal-vaccination programs.
The threat of rabies causes extreme fear on the part of people who think they may have been exposed and health care workers who must contend with possible exposures. In New Hampshire, October of 1994, an unknown number of individuals were exposed to a rabid kitten. Because exposure could not be well documented 665 individuals received rabies postexposure prophylaxis at a cost of $1.5 million. This was an extreme reaction by the public to possible exposure. The Centers for Disease Control is presently making recommendations to help prevent unnecessary treatment in questionably exposed individuals.
Prevention:
Prevention depends upon enforcement of the following public health policies: - vaccination of dogs every 2 years in areas of the U.S. where rabies exists in wild animals
- vaccination of people in high-risk occupations
- quarantine regulations on importing dogs and other mammals in disease-free countries
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
If a person has a history of animal bite, the animal will be observed for signs of rabies. Immunofluorescence (fluorescent antibody test) performed on the suspect animal may show that the animal has rabies.
Treatment:
Seek professional care after sustaining an animal bite. Try to gather as much information about the animal as possible. Contact local animal control authorities to confine suspect animals for observation and examination if rabies is suspected.
Thorough cleaning and removal of foreign objects (debridement) from the wound is needed. Animal bite wounds usually should not be sutured. A passive immunization by human rabies immune globulin may be given if there is any risk of rabies.
Prognosis:
If immunization is given within 2 days of the bite, rabies is usually prevented. Once the symptoms appear, few people survive the disease. Death from respiratory failure usually occurs within 7 days.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you are bitten by a wild or domestic animal and suspect rabies may develop.
There are many types of bats including fruit-eating, insect- eating, and even a blood-eating type (vampire bat). Bats have an important ecological role in the environment. However, they can carry rabies. Sick bats should be avoided and all bat bites should be reported to your state's Health Department. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Wild raccoons are cute but dangerous, and should be avoided as they can carry rabies. Bites by a wild raccoon or any other wild animal should be reported immediately to a physician or the state board of health. Trials with an oral rabies vaccine are presently under study. The vaccine is placed in bait for the wild raccoon and fox populations and should confer immunity against rabies. This is being done in attempt to stem the rapid increase in rabies which is being seen in raccoons and foxes. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. This chart illustrates the number of rabies cases in cattle that were reported in 1988. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. This chart illustrates the number of rabies cases reported in foxes for 1988. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This picture shows dogs in quarantine, being observed for signs of rabies. It is imperative that dog owners maintain current rabies immunization for their pet(s). In the absence of pet immunization tags, people who have been bitten must often undergo a series of expensive and uncomfortable rabies shots. These shots must be started immediately after the bite, and frequently before it is known whether the dog is rabid or not. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. Reported cases of rabies in bats for 1988 are illustrated here. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This particular fox is healthy, however, rabies has been increasing rapidly in the wild fox population in the eastern United States. Trials with an oral rabies vaccine are presently under study. The vaccine is placed in bait for the wild raccoon and fox populations, and should provide immunity against rabies. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. This picture illustrates the number of reported cases of rabies in cats in the United States for 1988. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. This picture illustrates the number of reported cases of rabies in dogs in the United States for 1988. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. Cases of rabies detected and reported in raccoons for 1988 were high in the eastern United States. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain statistics on many diseases, including rabies. Cases of rabies detected and reported in all animals for 1988 were high, especially in the eastern United States. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This dog is having problems with muscle control, caused by rabies. Note the abnormal posture. Rabies immunizations for dogs are required by law, but pet owners should have their pets immunized if only to prevent this tragedy. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Although this skunk is healthy, wild skunks can be carriers of rabies. Trials with an oral rabies vaccine are presently under study in an attempt to stem the rapid increase in rabies which is being seen in raccoons, foxes, and skunks. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Rabies has caused the poor muscle control and posture in this fox. Trials with an oral vaccine are presently under study. The vaccine is placed in bait for the wild raccoon and fox populations and should confer immunity against rabies. This is being done in an attempt to stem the rapid increase in rabies which is being seen in raccoons and foxes. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
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