Rabies

What is Rabies?

Lyssavirus, universally fatal if not treated, most commonly transmitted through bite wounds (virus in saliva)

Known in Asia and Europe for over 2000 years

Dogs main source of human cases in world, but not in US, where bats are most prevalent source currently

all mammalian species susceptible

Raccoon Rabies

31% cases

adapted to urban areas with increased likelihood of contact with humans

started in FL, spread north from hunting clubs and now prevalent on east coast

long incubation period (39-79 days)

oral baits used to vaccinate

Skunk Rabies

22% of animal cases

tend to bite and not let go, so many viral particles likely to traansmit in a single bitee

Foxe Rabies

more prevalent east coast, Alaska, and pocket in Texas spillover into coyotes (eliminated in coyotes via oral vaccine)

Found in many European countries; developed oral vaccine - effective, but resurgence

Bat Rabies

24 days before death, 12 days before clinical signs

Summer-early fall most exposure

Vampire Bats

tropics and neotropics, feed on cattle, occasionally horses, dogs, rarely humans

Control using anticoagulant (warfarin) jelly after which communal grooming provides administration and death

intraruminal injection in cattle

Oral vaccine under development, vaccination of cattle more efficient than control of vampire bats

Mongoose Rabies

Caribbean, introduced to control rat population in sugarcane fields

Clinical Signs in Animals

behavioral changes: aggressive, neurologic, depressed, “friendly”

can be similar to distemper virus in carnivores

Human Rabies Prevention

vaccination if practical (for pets/domestic animals and humans), get tested for antibodies if vaccinated, avoiding animals behaving strangely or aggressively

Exposure in Humans

Bites, scratches, ingestion, (contact with blood, urine, or feces does not constitute exposure)

Bat exposures = particular attention due to small bite wounds that person may be unaware of

Post-exposure - what to do?

wash any wounds with soap and water

send sample of animal to diagnostic lab if possible

administer human immunoglobulins around wounds

cell culture vaccine days 0, 3, 7, 14