Rabies Control Program
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Transcript Rabies Control Program
Rabies Control Program
4-H Veterinary Science
Extension Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Texas A&M System
http://aevm.tamu.edu
Objectives
Understand that because rabies is a
reportable disease, it has been controlled
Understand that health regulations for rabies
prevent its spread among animals and to
humans
History
Human deaths/year
1940’s – 40
1980 – <2
Cases reported
Prior to 1958 – most in domestic animals
After 1958 – most in wild animals
Only 15% of reported cases now occur in
domestic animals
Rabies
Definition
Viral disease of warm-blooded animals
Disease of overpopulation
Affects the central nervous system
Zoonotic
Reportable
Causative Agent
Caused by strains of rabies virus
Wildlife strains
Skunk
Coyote
Fox
Raccoon
Bat
Wild animal reservoirs
Since 1980 in the U.S., more than 90%of the
domestically acquired human rabies cases were
from bats
-CDC
Transmission
Transmitted by all warm-blooded animals
Saliva is the primary means of transmission
Can enter the body by
Bites
Breaks/scratch in the skin
Average incubation period is 3-8 weeks
Saliva of skunks contains more rabies virus
than any other species
High-Risk Species
Skunks
Coyotes
Foxes
Raccoons
Bats
Low-Risk Species
Opossums
Armadillos
Rabbits
Rats
Mice
Squirrels
Beavers
Diagnosis
Aka hydrophobia
Animal can’t drink due to throat paralysis
Saliva accumulation
“Mad dog” look
Veterinarian submits brain to lab
Lab test
Three phases of the disease
Incubation period
Clinical signs
Paralysis
Clinical symptoms (behavior change)
Anorexia
Apprehension
Nervousness
Irritability
Hyperexcitability
Ataxia (loss of muscle coordination)
Altered temperament
Post-exposure prophylaxis decision
Species of biting animal
Vaccination status of animal
Provoked vs. not provoked
Prevalence of rabies in the area
If human or animal is bitten
Find the animal
Do not shoot the suspected animal in the head
Contact local health official
Treatment
Wash wound immediately
Consider post-exposure prophylaxis
Not a foregone conclusion
Rarely an emergency
Prevention
Don’t adopt wild animals
Vaccinate
Avoid contact with wild animals
Discourage potential rabies reservoirs from inhabiting
premises around home
Eliminate brushy, grassy areas for wildlife nesting
Keep pet and livestock foods away
from wildlife
Eliminate wild persimmon trees and berry
vines that attract wildlife
Regulation and Control
Need an informed and cooperative public
Immunization of all owned dogs and cats (>3
months)
Registration and licensing
Keep records for 3 years
Impoundment of strays
Quarantine of rabies suspects
Rabies Vaccination Certificate
Quarantine
10 days
45 days
Vaccinated
90 days
Healthy animal bites someone
Un-vaccinated
Wild animal
Euthanize immediately and test
Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA)
Health and Safety Code 826.017 Commissioners Court of each county and local
governing body of each municipality shall
designate……local rabies control authority
Can be health official, animal control officer,
peace officer or any other entity
Vaccination
Administered by or under supervision of a
veterinarian
Immunized dogs and cats serve as a barrier
between humans and wildlife
Vaccinate all dogs and cats at 3 months of
age and revaccinate yearly
Certificate of vaccination will be issued and
retained
No rabies vaccine is licensed for use in wild
animals