Every 10 minutes rabies takes a human life world wide (Alliance for Rabies Control, 2009). The rabies virus is preventable through a simple vaccination of your pet that lasts for one year (initial vaccination) and every three years thereafter. When you choose to not vaccinate your pet, you’re putting your family, neighbors, and community at risk.
Depending on where you live in the United States determines which rabies vector (the species that has and can transmit the disease) is most likely to carry the rabies virus. In general the most common rabies vector species include raccoons, fox, bats, and skunks. However if you live in northern California the species with the greatest concern is the skunk. If you live in Florida your species of concern is the raccoon (Blanton, Jesse D, Palmer, Dustyn, Christian, Kira A, Rupprecht, Charles E, 2008) Which ever the species, the common denominator in keeping you and your pets free from this disease is by vaccinations.
So, what is the rabies virus? The rabies virus (RV) is a neurological disease that enters the body most commonly through a bite wound or a break in the skin by saliva of an infected animal. Other less common ways of contracting RV is through the mucous membranes (I.e. mouth, eyes, and nose) and via airborne route (National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases [ZVED], 2007). Once the virus enters the new host, it may take three to 12 weeks of reproduction, development, and invading and neurologic travel before the animal (host) shows signs (ZVED, 2007). Signs signal approximately seven days left of the animal life and include a “drunken” stagger, head tilt (the head will appear cocked or uncentered), and unprovoked aggression or unexplained fearful reaction. Distemper, another viral disease, produces similar signs to the RV however usually have upper respiratory signs such as discharge from the eyes and nose. Distemper is not contagious to people, however is very contagious from animal to animals (as it can be transmitted through an airborne route.
What happens if your pets come in contact with an animal suspected of rabies or is bitten by an unvaccinated pet? Vaccinated pets need to be revaccinated and observed for 45 days watching for any of the previously stated signs (ZVED, 2007). If your pet begins showing signs, he/she is euthanized and is tested for rabies. If you pet has not been vaccinated, he/she needs to be kept in isolation for six months at a facility (I.e. animal shelter, veterinary hospital) and observed for signs. (ZVED, 2007) Pets showing signs of RV are immediately euthanized and sent for RV testing. Vaccination is the only way to prevent a six month isolation stay at an animal care facility.
If you have a pet and keep him/her/them vaccinated or you don’t own pets at all, you may be asking “What can I do to help the 55,000 people a year from dying of the rabies virus?”
- Visit the World Rabies Day website.
- If you’re a teacher, download material from the World Rabies Day or Center for Disease Control websites.
- If you are a parent, visit the Center for Disease Control website with your child and participate in the fun learning activities.
- Send an email to your friends and family with rabies facts and website links.
- If you work in an environment were you work around pets that could potentially have rabies, inquire with your physician or local health department about getting the rabies vaccine.
- Participate in a World Rabies Day event. No listing for a World Rabies Day even in your area? START ONE!
World Rabies Day, developed by the Alliance for Rabies Control organization, started in 2006 by a group of professionals and researchers. The goal was to bring about awareness of RV and provide prevention assistance. In 2007 400,000 people from 74 countries participated in World Rabies Day (Alliance for Rabies Control, 2009).
Help eradicate the rabies virus by vaccinating your pets and discuss prevention with your family and friends. Your global community needs YOU!
WORLD RABIES DAY IS
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
Additional Resources
World Rabies Day teaching information, media information, and animal shelter information…
Learn more about Rabies...http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/history.html
References
Alliance for Rabies Control. (2009) Retrieved on May 2, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.worldrabiesday.org/
Blanton, Jesse D, Palmer, Dustyn, Christian, Kira A, Rupprecht, Charles E. (September 15,
Blanton, Jesse D, Palmer, Dustyn, Christian, Kira A, Rupprecht, Charles E. (September 15,
2008) Rabies Surveillance in the United States during 2007. Retrieved on May 2, 2009.
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED). (n.d.) Retrieved on
May 2, 2009. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/
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