Facts About Rabies: CDC-OC

Article title: Facts About Rabies: CDC-OC

Conditions: Rabies

Source: CDC-OC

Facts About Rabies

May 9, 1997

• Rabies is a disease that can affect all mammals and each year over 7,000 animals -- most of them wild -- are diagnosed as having the disease in the United States. The disease is found in all states except Hawaii.
• People become infected with rabies if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Although rabies in humans is very rare in the United States, more than 22,000 people each year

  receive treatment to prevent it following an exposure.

• Since 1980, 17 of 32 cases of human rabies in the United States have been associated with bat-related virus variants. Noteworthy, only one of these patients had a definite bite history. These cases and recent findings suggest that limited or insignificant physical contact with rabid bats may cause infection, even without a clear history of animal bite.
• Here are some measures for preventing rabies infection:
  • Avoid contact with wild animals; especially bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. This includes your cats as well as dogs, since more cats than dogs were reported rabid during all, but two, of the past 16 years.
  • Although it is not possible to determine if an animal is infected by simple observation, signs which should lead you to suspect that it may be rabid include nervousness, aggressiveness, excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth, or abnormal behavior (e.g., wild animals losing their fear of people or animals normally active at night being seen in the daytime).
• If you suspect that an animal has rabies, notify your local animal control division or health department. Do not attempt to capture the animal yourself.
• If you are bitten or scratched by any animal wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible, and notify animal control or the health department. If you come into contact with a bat (e.g., awake to find one in your room or see one near an unattended child or mentally challenged or intoxicated person), contact a doctor immediately. Again, notify animal control or the health department.

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