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What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of its victim. It is sometimes called hydrophobia which means fear of water because animals infected with rabies were once thought to simply have a fear of water. Rabies has afflicted animals and humans since ancient times. The word "rabies" comes from the Latin "rabere" meaning to rage- rabid animals are often called "mad" because the symptoms of the disease in its advanced stages cause the animal to appear "mad" or in a rage.

What animals do I need to be careful of possibly having rabies?

Wild animals carry the most risk of being rabid. Strictly speaking, any fur bearing mammal can carry rabies, however certain wild animals are the most common carriers. Skunks (polecats), raccoons (coons), foxes, and bats are the most common carriers. Beavers, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, rats and mice are less notorious however are fully capable of being rabid. Dogs, cats and cattle are the domestic animals that are at highest risk. In rare instances, bats have been known to pass the virus without direct contact.

What areas of the country have the most rabies?

Presently, nearly all of them. Because many wild animals migrate, the problem exists nearly everywhere in the U.S. Because our wilderness is being constantly encroached upon, and some species of wild animals are adapting to our neighborhoods, the potential for spread of rabies from wildlife into domestic life is very high.

Since 1975, there has been a slow, but steady, spread of the disease in certain regions.

• Skunks in the country's midsection, ranging from Texas and New Mexico to Montana and east to Ohio.
• Raccoons (coons) in the mid-Atlantic area ranging from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware south to Florida.
• Foxes in the Northeast from Maine south to New York and Connecticut, and also in Alaska.
• Bats, concentrated in the Southwest, but present in nearly every state.

Migratory patterns are responsible for the spread of rabies into the highly populated areas of easern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Raccoons are posing a special hazard in these densely populated areas.

Rabies is a greater danger in late spring, summer, and early fall. Wild animals are more active during these times. Also, greater numbers of humans are outdoors where they are exposed to them.

How does a person or animal get exposed to rabies?

Rabies is most often passed from animal to animal, or animal to human, through bites. The rabies virus in the attacker's saliva (spit) is passed through the puncture wound into the victim's skin. The virus can also be transmitted by licking when a sore or wound is exposed to saliva from an infected person or animal.

How do I know if I need a rabies shot?

You truly don't. If you feel that you have been exposed to a rabid animal, you must seek the advice of a doctor or health department immediately.

Here is a check list of questions you must be prepared to answer and address:

1. Exactly what kind of animal bit you? Was the bite from a species of animal that typically has rabies? Have there been reports of animals of this type being rabid in your area? Any wild mammal bite- especially skunks and raccoons are automatically suspect.
2. If a pet or domestic animal was involved, was it acting strangely?
3. Do you know if the animal was vaccinated for rabies? Do you know precisely when?
4. If you were exposed to a lick rather than a bite, was it near an open wound or sore or a membrane such as the mouth, eyes, or nose?
5. Is rabies known to be present in your area?
6. If the animal is dead, can the carcass be retrieved? (if so, save the carcass- but remember to wear gloves and handle very carefully!!)
7. If the animal is not dead, can it be easily captured? Capture very carefully with, if possible, help from a animal control professional.
8. Remember and note everything you can about the exposure.

If rabies is so dangerous is it really safe to wait while the animal is being tested?

No, it is not. Treatment of an animal bite when rabies is suspected is somewhat complicated. There are many questions that need to be addressed and they must be carefully considered by a health care professional familiar with rabies treatment. If exposed to an animal that may be rabid, wash the wound or exposure site with soap and water and seek the guidance of a health care professional experienced with rabies care immediately.

Often, rabies treatments should begin while an animal or carcass is being tested and, if the test is negative, the treatment can be interrupted. In some cases, depending upon the animal and the rabies situation in your area, treatment can be delayed for a short time in order to test the animal. However, this is a decision to be made by a health professional familiar with rabies treatment and the extent of rabies in your geographic area.

If an animal wounds me or my child or pet, what is the best way to care for the wound?

Wash with soap and water immediately. Seek the help of a health care professional immediately if there is reason to suspect that the animal has rabies.

Are there side effects to rabies vaccine?

Rabies vaccine can cause some swelling at the place where it is given, as well as pain, redness and itching. It is also possible to have a headache, to become dizzy, have an upset stomach or a stomach ache after a rabies injection. Rare severe reactions can occur much like the rare reactions that can be caused by most medicines. The risk of side effects is far less than the risk of rabies, if not treated.

Can rabies vaccine be given to a pregnant woman?

Yes. No one should risk rabies due to pregnancy.

Can the vaccine fail to protect?

Thus far, in the U.S., the vaccine has never failed to fight off rabies. There have been instances in other parts of the world where the vaccine has failed because it was not given properly or in a timely way.

How do you know who should get a rabies "shot?"

By knowing as much as possible about the animal that caused the bite or exposure, and seeking the advice and treatment of a knowledgeable health care professional.

Is there a shot that can be had BEFORE a bite?

Yes. This is called "pre-exposure vaccine." It should be had by anyone who comes in close contact with wild animals in an area where rabies is a problem. For example: veterinarians and staff; animal control officers; varmint hunters; spelunkers (people who explore caves); people who plan to travel to countries where rabies is a problem.

How does a "pre-exposure" vaccination help?

It can protect people who have been exposed to rabies but do not know it. It protects people who cannot be treated immediately after a bite or other exposure. This is especially important for travelers as treatment normally cannot be delayed for more than a few days under the best of circumstances. If bitten or exposed, it decreases the number of vaccinations needed.

How is it given?

All rabies vaccinations are given by injection.

How many do you have to get?

Pre-exposure (preventive) vaccine is given in three doses over a period of one month.

Post-exposure (after a bite or other exposure) care involves 5 injections of vaccine over a period of one month in addition to two antibody injections (one at the site of the bite and the other in the buttocks).

If someone got the preventive (pre-exposure) rabies vaccine, do they still need a "shot" if they get bitten by a rabid animal?

That will have to be determined by your doctor and/or public health practitioner. Often, a rabies booster is required. The decision depends upon what is known about the particular animal and the extent of rabies in your geographic area.

What should I do if my pet gets bitten by an animal that might have rabies?

Segregate it so no one will come in contact with it but you. Handle it carefully- avoid contact. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

How would I know if an animal had rabies?

There is no way to know without having the live animal or its carcass laboratory tested. Do not attempt to guess. Assume it does if you have any reason to suspect that the animal is rabid.

Suspect any hair bearing animal that behaves in an unusual way, appears or behaves tame or untimid, does not take flight when approached by a human or domestic animal, does not assume behavior that is consistent with normal instinctive self preservation.

What are the symptoms of a human having rabies?

In humans, it can take as little as nine days or as long as a year or more for the horrible symptoms of rabies to appear. Most people who get rabies, however, begin to show signs of the disease within 60 days after being exposed.

It is very important not to wait for symptoms before seeking care. Rabies travels from the bite to the nerves and travels up the nerves to the brain. The virus usually takes several days to begin attacking the fine nerves nearest to the bite or exposure site. If rabies gets into the nerves, vaccination is useless.

The earliest symptoms of clinical rabies infection in humans are pain, tingling or numbness at the site of the bite, fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and feeling tired and "run down."

Some sufferers show early signs of the virus getting into their brain and nervous system. They feel anxious, are fearful of things with no clear reason, they are agitated, nervous and may be depressed.

As the disease gets worse, it does so rapidly. In a matter of days a person can become parylyzed, have spasms in the throat, see hallucinations, go into coma, have heartbeat problems and then die.

The most important thing to remember is that if someone is exposed to a possible source of rabies, that modern rabies treatment, if it is started in time, allows our bodies to fight the virus and avoid the disease.

I travel often, do I have to worry about pets being rabid in other countries?

In most countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, dogs are the most common carriers of rabies. Mongooses in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Grenada and the Dominican Republic are notoriously rabid as well. Vampire bats in Central and South America; jackals and mongooses in southern Africa; wolves in Iran and Turkey and the raccoon dog of various republics of the former Soviet Union, Finland and Poland are all carry high risk for travelers.

What precautions should I take?

If you are traveling to an area where rabies is a problem, seriously consider "pre-exposure" or preventive vaccination. Risk is not necessarily limited to travel in wilderness areas. Tourists have been bitten by rabid dogs and other animals in public areas and at important tourist sites. Inquire through your agent or consulate where rabies poses a threat before you travel.

What should I do if I get exposed?

Immediately wash the exposure site well with plenty of soap and water. Seek the care and advice of a health care professional familiar with the extent of rabies in the immediate geographic area immediately. Be as familiar with the animal that exposed you as possible, including having the animal or its carcass in your possession.

What about "road kill?"

Many wild mammals- especially raccoons, oppossums and foxes are killed in the road BECAUSE they have rabies. DO NOT handle killed or injured animals. Report road kills to your local animal control officer or public health office.

If you injure an animal on the road, do not attempt to approach it! It may be rabid!

What about hunting?

A prey animal that does not appear healthy and/or is not behaving in a normal fashion is highly suspect. Handle the carcass very carefully. Gloves and plastic bags are very useful. Take killed game that is suspicious of rabies to your nearest wildlife check station or public health department. Do so carefully! Explain to the wildlife or public health official your reasons for suspicion. DO NOT field dress or butcher an animal suspected of carrying rabies.

Vaccinate all your dogs! Be CERTAIN your dogs are vaccinated before taking them out--even for training. If your dogs or hawks get into a suspicious animal, dead or alive, quarantine your animal and contact your veterinarian. Your dog will need a booster and further instructions from your vet. Treat as infectious, even if vaccinated, and segregate until a vet is consulted. Contaminated blood and saliva from the wild animal can be passed to you or other dogs from your dog or hawk.

How do I know, for certain, if an animal has rabies?

The only way an animal can be confirmed, for certain, that it has rabies, is to kill it and test its brain. Therefore, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that your pet be leashed and that it wears its vaccination tag at all times. If your pet strays, and it is not identified as being vaccinated, it may come into a situation where it must be euthanized to determine whether it is carrying rabies. If a healthy, domestic cat or dog happens to bite a human, it may be captured and contained for 10 days instead of being killed. However, this can be very expensive for the owner as the capture and quaranteen are nearly always charged to the owner with large fines. There are very large fines in most areas for owning a pet that is not vaccinated. If no signs of rabies develop during the isolation time, it is safe to assume that the animal did not transmit rabies in its bite. If the pet was able to transmit rabies virus in its bite, it will have developed symptoms of the disease within the ten day period of isolation. THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT AN ANIMAL CAN BE INFECTIOUS IS NOT KNOWN. An animal's ability to carry rabies has been known to last for as long as seven years. Therefore, wild animals that have bitten a human MUST be killed and tested.

Is there a cure for rabies?

When the signs of rabies appear in a human or an animal, the disease is 100% FATAL. In humans, there is a time after being bitten to contact an emergency health care provider and receive anti-rabies treatment to prevent the disease from occuring. SPEED IS CRITICAL! How to determine if the anti-rabies treatment is needed is a complicated decision that should involve your health care provider and local public health authorities. CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY if you suspect exposure to rabies.

How do I recognize a rabid animal?

When an animal is infected with rabies virus, there is a period that is TYPICALLY of several days to several months that can pass before symptoms appear. This is why behavior alone is NOT a reliable indicator of whether you have been exposed to rabies. As the incubation period of the rabies virus progresses in an animal, the virus can be in its saliva. The animal can spread rabies to other animals and humans alike. This may occur long before actual symptoms appear. In any animal, behavior changes are the first indicator that it is infected with rabies virus. It becomes withdrawn or uncharacteristically approachable. A wild animal often appears to be unusually tame, affectionate and even friendly. Later in the progression of the disease, staggering, convulsions, spitting and frothing at the mouth usually occur. Gradual paralysis is often seen. There are other forms of rabies that cause the animal to appear furious. The animal is excited, aggressive, irritable and may snap at anything. Often voice changes are noticeable as well.

Does everyone bitten by an animal need to be treated for rabies?

No. The decision is a complicated one and involves consideration of many details. It is a decision that must be made by a physician. It involves the type of animal, its behavior immediately prior to the bite, the extent of rabies occurance in your area and other factors. DO NOT GUESS if you have been bitten by an animal. If you have been bitten, follow the emergency instructions and seek the guidance of your emergency health care provider.

What is the best defense against rabies?

To vaccinate your pet dogs and cats.

This page was created as part of an ITGS project at GMHS.

Created by Adam Moses.