1. Rabies Control Program
4-H Veterinary Science
Extension Veterinary Medicine 
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Texas A&M System

2. Objectives
Understand that because rabies is a reportable disease, it has been controlled
Understand that health regulations for rabies prevent its spread among animals and to humans

3. History Human deaths/year Cases reported
1980 – <2
Cases reported
Prior to 1958 – most in domestic animals
After 1958 – most in wild animals
Only 15% of reported cases now occur in domestic animals

4. Rabies Definition Viral disease of warm-blooded animals
Disease of overpopulation
Affects the central nervous system
Zoonotic
Reportable

5. Causative Agent Caused by strains of rabies virus Wildlife strains
Skunk
Coyote
Fox
Raccoon
Bat
Wild animal reservoirs

6. Since 1980 in the U.S., more than 90%of the domestically acquired human rabies cases were from bats
-CDC

8. Transmission Transmitted by all warm-blooded animals
Saliva is the primary means of transmission

9. Average incubation period is 3-8 weeks
Can enter the body by
Bites
Breaks/scratch in the skin
Average incubation period is 3-8 weeks
Saliva of skunks contains more rabies virus than any other species

10. High-Risk Species Low-Risk Species Skunks Coyotes Foxes Raccoons Bats
Opossums
Armadillos
Rabbits
Rats
Mice
Squirrels
Beavers

11. Diagnosis Aka hydrophobia Veterinarian submits brain to lab Lab test
Animal can’t drink due to throat paralysis
Saliva accumulation
“Mad dog” look
Veterinarian submits brain to lab
Lab test

12. Three phases of the disease
Incubation period
Clinical signs
Paralysis

13. Clinical symptoms (behavior change) Anorexia
Apprehension
Nervousness
Irritability
Hyperexcitability
Ataxia (loss of muscle coordination)
Altered temperament

14. Post-exposure prophylaxis decision
Species of biting animal
Vaccination status of animal
Provoked vs. not provoked
Prevalence of rabies in the area

15. If human or animal is bitten
Find the animal
Do not shoot the suspected animal in the head
Contact local health official

16. Treatment Wash wound immediately Consider post-exposure prophylaxis
Not a foregone conclusion
Rarely an emergency

17. Prevention Don’t adopt wild animals Vaccinate
Avoid contact with wild animals
Discourage potential rabies reservoirs from inhabiting premises around home
Eliminate brushy, grassy areas for wildlife nesting
Keep pet and livestock foods away from wildlife
Eliminate wild persimmon trees and berry vines that attract wildlife

18. Regulation and Control
Need an informed and cooperative public
Immunization of all owned dogs and cats (>3 months)
Registration and licensing
Keep records for 3 years
Impoundment of strays
Quarantine of rabies suspects

19. Rabies Vaccination Certificate

20. Quarantine 10 days 45 days 90 days Wild animal
Healthy animal bites someone
45 days
Vaccinated
90 days
Un-vaccinated
Wild animal
Euthanize immediately and test

21. Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA)
Health and Safety Code Commissioners Court of each county and local governing body of each municipality shall designate……local rabies control authority
Can be health official, animal control officer, peace officer or any other entity

22. Vaccination Administered by or under supervision of a veterinarian
Immunized dogs and cats serve as a barrier between humans and wildlife
Vaccinate all dogs and cats at 3 months of age and revaccinate yearly
Certificate of vaccination will be issued and retained
No rabies vaccine is licensed for use in wild animals