Rabies

The infectious path of Rabies virus

Just the Facts

• Possible in any mammal.

• Occurs mostly in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

• Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.

• 1-2 deaths per year, nearly always in untreated individuals.

• Only one known case of survival with no pre-/post treatment: 15 yr old girl in 2004.

• A bite is not necessary…can be transmitted by saliva to cut or mucous membrane.

• Has been transmitted by organ transplants; four deaths from one donor!

• Treatment: a course of rabies immune globulin and five doses of vaccine given over a 4-week period typically exceeds $1,000.

Symptoms in Humans• Infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and death. • Early symptoms of rabies are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache, and

general malaise. • Advanced symptoms: insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis,

excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water).

• Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

Rabid Animal Reports in PA in 2010

Raccoon – 217 Skunk – 56

Cat – 56 Bat- 29

Fox – 25 Cow – 7 Deer – 6

Groundhog – 5 Horse – 5 Dog – 4

How to Prevent Rabies• Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. This benefits you and

your pet • No pet contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek

veterinary assistance immediately. • Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your

neighborhood. They may be unvaccinated and could be infected by the disease. • Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans

or litter. • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick

animals to health. • Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they

appear friendly. • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes.• When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially

careful around dogs in developing countries.