3 Rabies

All mammals

Who is susceptible to rabies?

Raccoons, skunks, and foxes

What animals are the most commonly infected with rabies?

They will often not live through the bite because they are so small. Additionally, rabies is a rapidly progressive neurologic disease in rodents and because their CNS is so small, they will often die before they can transmit.

Why are rodents (squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, etc.) and lagomorphs not considered competent reservoirs for rabies?

Canine rabies virus variant

The U.S. has been declared free of what rabies varient?

Cats

Are cats or dogs more commonly diagnosed with rabies?

Rhabadovirus, genus lyssavirus

What classification of virus is rabies?

Raccoon

What is the predominant rabies virus variant along the eastern coast of the united states (running from Maine down through Virginia then Florida)?

Skunk

What is the predominant rabies virus variant in the midwest (running from north dakota down through nebraska and kansas to texas. some in california)?

Fox

What is the predominant rabies virus variant in arizona and alaska?

Skunk

What animal predominates area 1 for this rabies virus variant?

Skunk

What animal predominates area 2 for this rabies virus variant?

Fox

What animal predominates area 3 for this rabies virus variant?

Skunk

What animal predominates area 4 for this rabies virus variant?

Raccoon

What animal predominates area 5 for this rabies virus variant?

Fox

What animal predominates area 6 for this rabies virus variant?

Yes, if closer to CNS (like on the nose) then it will take the virus less time to spread to get to the CNS

Does it matter where a rabid animal bites you? Why or why not?

3-12 weeks (variable)

What is the incubation period for rabies in domestic animals?

Bite or scratch of rabid animal

How is rabies transmitted?

Locally at the site of inoculation in the muscle or connective tissue

Where does rabies replicate?

After local replication, rabies enters peripheral nervous system at neuromuscular junctions and spreads from peripheral to CNS

After local replication, where does rabies travel?

Encephalitis

What type of inflammation does rabies cause?

Inappetence, dysphagia, CN deficits, abnormal behavior (hydrophobia), ataxia, paralysis, altered vocalization, seizures

What are the typical clinical signs of rabies in animals?

Negri bodies in neuron bodies

What abnormality appears in cells when an animal has rabies?

In salivary glands

Where does the rabies virus have high titers?

Rapid

Use one word to describe the progression to death when an animal has rabies

"Dumb" and "furious"

What are the two different clinical presentations of rabies in animals?

Lab confirmation by positive direct FAT or isolation of virus

You have clinical presentation of rabies in an animal. By case definition, what is required to confirm rabies?

NO

Do we have effective rabies antivirals?

Bite (penetration of skin via teeth) and non-bite (surgical recipient of tissue, contact of saliva from open wound, people exposed to aerosolized virus)

What are the two major types of animal to human exposures to rabies?

Indirect (petting/handling animals, contact with blood/urine/feces, contact of saliva with intact skin)

What type of contact does not constitute rabies exposure?

ONLY organ transplant

What are the mechanisms of human to human exposure for rabies?

Human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) and purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV)

What two rabies vaccines are licensed for human use in the U.S.?

7-10 days

How long does it take for the PCEC rabies vaccine to stimulate antibody immunity in humans?

Rabies immune globulin (RIG)

What provides rapid passive immunity in humans against rabies for 21 days?

NO you have to treat animals beforehand to prevent rabies

Can you treat animals with rabies?

Dogs, cats, ferrets

What animals are known for shedding the rabies virus for a few days prior to and during clinical signs?

5-10 days

Dogs usually shed rabies virus in their saliva up to how many days before clinical signs develop?

Two doses of rabies virus and follow up with serologic testing (booster after 3 years)

If a person has not yet contract rabies, what pre-exposure prevention should they take?

Prophylaxis: wound treatment, local infiltration of RIG and vaccination (if never vaccinated, give RIG and 4 doses vaccine. If previously vaccinated, give 2 doses vaccine and no RIG)

If a person has been exposed to the rabies virus, what post exposure prevention should they take?

16-39,000

How many people in the U.S. receive post exposure prophylaxis each year?

200

How many people in China die from rabies each month?

NASPHV (national association of state public health veterinarians)

What organization gives recommendations for rabies prevention concerning domestic animals?

Vaccinate all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Euthanize strays and unwanted animals

What animals does the NASPHV say to vaccinate against rabies and what should be done with animals in shelters with potential exposure?

NO. Private practitioners do NOT have the freedom for vaccination of wild or wild hybrid pets.

Do we have licensed parenteral rabies vaccines for use in wild animals or wild hybrids? What is it?

NASPHV compendium

Where are all USDA licensed vaccines (inc. rabies) listed?

No

If a dog should only get one rabies vaccine but I give him 3, does that provide more protection than the normal dosage?

Vomiting, injection site swelling, lethargy

What are some adverse side effects of the rabies vaccine in animals?

28 days from initial vaccine (boosters are immediate)

How long does it take the rabies vaccine to confer immunity in animals?

After first rabies vaccine, booster at 1 year. After that, every 3 years

When should animals get boosters for their rabies vaccines?

Oral rabies vaccine (for mass vaccination)

What rabies vaccine is labeled only for use in raccoons and coyotes?

Bats

What rabid wildlife animal should we attempt to control since they are reported in all 48 touching American states and cause 43 human deaths per year?

Euthanize (or vaccinate and place in hold for 4-6 months)

What should happen to unvaccinated animals who have been exposed to rabies?

Revaccinate immediately and have owner observe behavior for 45 days

What should happen to a vaccinated animal who has been exposed to rabies?

Health department

Any rabies related illness in an exposed animal should be reported immediately to what organization?

Rabid

Wild mammalian carnivores and bats unavailable for testing should be considered .....?

HIGHLY UNLIKELY but technically yes

Can you contract rabies from pasteurized milk of a rabid cow?

Confine and observe the animal for 10 days for signs of rabies. DO NOT VACCINATE. If signs of rabies develop in animal, vaccinate and test immediately

If a suspected rabid animal bites a human, what is the protocol for the animal?

Head or brain (inc. brain stem) that has been refrigerated (NOT FROZEN OR FIXED)

What part of an animal should you submit for rabies testing?

NO rapid kits

Do we have rapid testing rabies kits for antemortem diagnosis in animals?

CDC regulates importation of cats and dogs into U.S. For Interstate movement, we monitor cats, dogs, ferrets, and horses. They need to be current on rabies vaccine and have a vaccine certificate

How do we control international/interstate movement of rabid animals?

NASPHV Form 51

What form number is the rabies certificate?