 The Global Alliance for Rabies Control
designated September 28, 2011, as World Rabies Day. Rabies is a zoonotic
(passable between animals and humans) disease which claims the lives of over
55,000 people around the world each year. That's a life every ten minutes! The
majority of these cases occur in Africa and Asia where large uncontrolled dog
populations exist, but cases happen in the US as well.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that is passed through bites or exposure to saliva or
nervous tissue. Once exposure has occurred, the disease spreads from the bite
area through the nerves to the brain. Once this occurs, the disease is fatal.
Vaccination of animals and prevention is the best defense against rabies.
 In
Pennsylvania in 2010, raccoons topped the list of the most rabies cases, but
surprising to many people was that cats tied skunks for spot number two. Don't
assume that only wild animals will carry the disease or that the cute cat or dog
you see on the sidewalk might not be infected. Signs we typically associate with
rabies like foaming at the mouth or excessive drooling don't show themselves
until late in the disease - or sometimes not at all - so you can't rely on
visual cues alone.
Here are some other tips which may come in handy:
- Don't let pets roam freely outside. Their chance of contact with wild animals is increased, and the chance of exposure goes up. Additionally, if your pet is bitten and returns to the house, each family member is at risk for exposure, and you may not even be able to tell that your pet was bitten.
- Don't feed your pets outside. Also don't leave food sitting out or dishes with food residue outside.
- Do not approach, feed or handle animals with which you are unfamiliar. You have no way of knowing if the animal is vaccinated or already infected.
- Be sure to put all garbage bags in trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Leaving garbage bags exposed increases the chance that wild animals like skunks and raccoons will follow their nose to your leftovers.
- If you see wild animals who are acting strangely, notify local authorities immediately.
Click here to download PVMA's Rabies
Fact Sheet.
Click here to download the Rabies Quick Reference Guide
for Veterinarians.
The
World Rabies Day website has a wealth of information including educational materials for the public, pet owners, children, teachers, veterinarians, and more. Take a look and see what you might find helpful. The website also lists rabies awareness events that are going on around the world, and you might get an idea for an event in your community to raise the awareness of rabies. Below is a sampling of the educational materials which are available in the World Rabies Day
Education Bank.
Veterinarians
Rabies Vaccination Clinic Toolkit
Veterinary Technicians: Learning to Make Rabies History
One World, One Health: Rabies Elimination in Tropical Countries
How Veterinarians Can Partner With the World Rabies Day Initiative
Pet Owners
Be Safe Around Dogs Coloring Book
Dog Bite Prevention and Information Resources
Children
Rabies: What Kids Need to Know
Rabies and Kids
Dogs and Kids: Bite Prevention Information and Activities |