Recent Rabies Exposures Highlight Importance of Animal Vaccination and Wildlife Awareness
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory in response to an increase in human exposures to rabid or potentially rabid animals. Rabies exposures involving petting zoo goats in North Carolina that had contact with the public, along with other exposures throughout the Southeast, highlight the importance of understanding rabies prevention, including appropriate vaccination, preventing wildlife contact, and knowing what to do after a potential exposure.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and attacks the central nervous system. Once clinical signs develop, rabies is fatal. However, the disease can be prevented through appropriate vaccination and prompt medical intervention after a potential exposure.
“Rabies prevention starts long before an animal or person develops clinical signs,” says Dr. Jacquline Risalvato, assistant professor of veterinary virology and immunology at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. “Animal owners should consider vaccination, wildlife exposure, and the environments in which their animals are housed or handled as part of their overall rabies prevention plan.”
In Tennessee, state law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies beginning at 12 weeks of age and by 6 months of age. Rabies vaccination is not legally required for livestock such as goats, sheep, cattle or horses; however, rabies vaccines are available for several livestock species, and veterinarians may also consider appropriate off-label vaccination when a vaccine is not specifically licensed for a particular species. “For example, a rabies vaccine licensed for use in sheep may be administered off-label to goats under veterinary direction,” says Risalvato. “Animal owners should work with their veterinarian to determine the most appropriate rabies prevention strategy for their livestock, particularly for animals that regularly interact with the public.”
Preventing contact with wildlife is another important component of rabies prevention. In Tennessee, rabies is found in wildlife including skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. Animal owners should take steps to prevent wildlife from accessing animal housing, food, and water.
People should also be aware that a rabies exposure is not always obvious. Bat bites, in particular, can be small enough to go unnoticed. Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal or who has had direct contact with a bat should immediately wash the affected area with soap and water and contact a healthcare provider and local health department for guidance. Individuals should not wait for symptoms to develop before seeking medical advice.
“Especially with bats, people may not realize that an exposure occurred,” Risalvato says. “If there is any question about whether you or a family member may have been exposed, contact public health and let them help determine what steps are appropriate.”
For more information about rabies prevention and potential exposures, contact the Tennessee Department of Health or your local health department.
