rabies control program 4-h veterinary science extension veterinary medicine texas agrilife extension...
Post on 20-Dec-2015
225 views
TRANSCRIPT
Rabies Control Program
4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu
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
History
Human deaths/year 1940’s – 40 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
Rabies
Definition Viral disease of warm-blooded animals Disease of overpopulation Affects the central nervous system Zoonotic Reportable
Causative Agent
Caused by strains of rabies virus Wildlife strains
Skunk Coyote Fox Raccoon Bat
Wild animal reservoirs
Since 1980 in the U.S., more than 90%of the domestically acquired human rabies cases were from bats
-CDC
Transmission
Transmitted by all warm-blooded animals Saliva is the primary means of transmission
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
High-Risk Species Skunks Coyotes Foxes Raccoons Bats
Low-Risk Species Opossums Armadillos Rabbits Rats Mice Squirrels Beavers
Diagnosis
Aka hydrophobia Animal can’t drink due to throat paralysis Saliva accumulation “Mad dog” look
Veterinarian submits brain to lab Lab test
Three phases of the disease Incubation period Clinical signs Paralysis
Clinical symptoms (behavior change) Anorexia
Apprehension Nervousness Irritability Hyperexcitability Ataxia (loss of muscle coordination) Altered temperament
Post-exposure prophylaxis decision Species of biting animal Vaccination status of animal Provoked vs. not provoked Prevalence of rabies in the area
If human or animal is bitten Find the animal
Do not shoot the suspected animal in the head Contact local health official
Treatment Wash wound immediately Consider post-exposure prophylaxis
Not a foregone conclusion Rarely an emergency
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
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
Rabies Vaccination Certificate
Quarantine 10 days
Healthy animal bites someone 45 days
Vaccinated 90 days
Un-vaccinated Wild animal
Euthanize immediately and test
Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) Health and Safety Code 826.017 -
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
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