Rabies Control Program

4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine 

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science

Texas A&M Systemhttp://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

Healthy animal bites someone 45 days

Vaccinated 90 days

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