Rabies/Compendium
COMPENDIUM OF ANIMAL RABIES CONTROL 2006

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis and a serious public health problem. The recommendation in this compendium serve as the basis of rabies prevention and control programs thought the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions, thereby contributing to an effective national rabies-control program. This document is reviewed annually and revised as necessary. Principles of rabies prevention and control are detailed in Part I; Part II contains recommendations for parenteral vaccination procedures; all animal rabies vaccines licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and marketed in the United States are listed in Part III.
 

Rabies Compendium of 2006
 

What You Should Know About Rabies

WHAT IS RABIES?

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. The virus attacks the nerves and brain tissue of warm-blooded animals including people.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?

When an animal is sick with rabies, the virus is shed in the saliva and can be passed to another animal or a person, usually through a bite. Transmission may also occur if this saliva or the animal's nervous tissue inters open wounds, the mouth, nose or eyes of another animal or person.

WHAT DOES A RABID ANIMAL LOOK LIKE?

Animals with rabies may show strange behavior - they can be aggressive, attacking for no apparent reason. Some animals can act very tame (especially wild animals). They may not be able to eat, drink, or swallow. They may drool because they cannot swallow their saliva. They may stagger or become paralyzed. Eventually they will die.

WHAT DO I DO IF AN ANIMAL BITES ME?

Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes.
Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be picked up by Animal Control for quarantine or rabies testing. (If an animal is suspected of rabies but there has been no exposure, the testing will be done at the citizens expense).
Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room.
Call your animal control agency with the animal's description and location of the animal. The animal will either be quarantined for ten days (if it is a dog, cat or ferret) or be tested for rabies.
If you kill the animal, be careful not to damage the head and avoid further contact with the animal even when it is dead.

WHAT DO I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF, MY FAMILY
AND MY PETS FROM RABIES?

Have your veterinarian vaccinate all of your dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies and make sure you follow your veterinarian's instructions for revaccination.

Horses should also be vaccinated against rabies.

Avoid contact with wild or stay animals.

Never feed wild or stray animals - avoid attracting them with outdoor food sources (like uncovered trash).

Feed you pets indoors.

Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property.

If your animal is attacked by a wild, stray or un-vaccinated animal, DO NOT examine your pet for injuries without wearing gloves. Wash your pet with soap and water to remove saliva from the attacking animal. Do not let your animal come into contact with other animals or people until the situation can be dealt with by animal control.