disease information
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Rabies |
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals and is almost always fatal. Rabies in humans is rare in the United States. The vast majority of rabies cases reported each year occur in wild animals including raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but quite rare, for people to get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound. Because rabies has also occurred in people who have very close contact with bats without an apparent bite, this type of contact is also considered a risk and should be followed up by a medical practitioner.
Rabies virus infects the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain. Early symptoms are non-specific and include fever, headache and a generalized feeling of discomfort. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing and fear of water. Death usually occurs within a few days of the onset of symptoms.
In Maine, rabies can only be confirmed at the state public health laboratory. Because the virus is present in nervous tissue and not blood like many other viruses, animal brain tissue is required. The test can only be performed after the animal is dead.
In 2006, 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported 6,940 confirmed cases of rabies in animals and 3 cases in humans. (Hawaii is the only state that is rabies free). Wild animals accounted for 92% of reported cases of rabies. Raccoons were the most frequently reported rabid wildlife species (37%), followed by bats (24%), skunks (22%), foxes (6%) and other wild animals, including rodents (1%). Domestic species accounted for 8% of reported cases of rabies and included cats, dogs and cattle. Texas, Indiana and California each reported a human case of rabies.
In 2007, 15 counties in Maine reported 86 confirmed cases of rabies in animals and no cases in humans. (Franklin was the only county without a confirmed case of animal rabies in Maine in 2007). Wild animals accounted for 97% of reported cases of rabies. Raccoons were the most frequently reported rabid wildlife species (46%), followed by skunks (38%), bats (11%), foxes (5%) and woodchucks (1%). Domestic animals accounted for 3% of reported cases of rabies and included 3 cats.
The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has declined from more than 100 annually at the turn of the century to one or two deaths per year in the 1990’s. Modern day methods to prevent the development of rabies have proven nearly 100% successful. In the United States, human deaths associated with rabies occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance, usually because they are unaware of their exposure to the disease. Medical attention for someone exposed to rabies is called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP. PEP consists of 1 dose of rabies immune globulin and 5 doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period beginning as soon as possible after exposure. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in the arm.
Although the majority of rabies cases occur in wild animals, most humans are given rabies vaccine as a result of exposure to domestic animals. When rabies occurs in domestic animals, the risk to humans is increased. Therefore, these animals should be vaccinated to prevent them from acquiring the disease and transmitting it to humans.
Source: Reportable Infectious Diseases in Maine: 2007 Summary
Rabies Resource Sheets
Questions and Answers About Rabies
Bats: Safety and Risk Management at Camp
Rabies Management