Public Health Rabies Quick!

Front 1

Veterinarian 5 responsibilities in rabies
prevention

Back 1

– Animal preexposure vaccinations

– Animal postexposure vaccinations

– Understand rabies transmission and
incubation period

– Conduct risk assessments for animals

– Quarantine and testing of rabies suspect
animals

Front 2

In 2010, Texas had what percent of rabid animals in the US?

Back 2

12.5% - 774 of the 6,155
rabid animals in the U.S.

Front 3

State with the 2nd most rabies cases in 2010?

Back 3

Virgina

Front 4

State with the highest number of rabid wildlife?

Back 4

Texas

Front 5

Where did texas rank with number of rabid domestic
animals?

Back 5

3rd

Front 6

Texas was #1 in what 4 rabid species?

Back 6

Texas was
#1 in rabid:
– Bats
– Dogs
– Horses/ mules
– Skunks

Front 7

The rabies virus causes what?

Back 7

Causes an encephalitis that results in neurological abnormalities, including
behavior changes. Mentation alterations promote transmission of the virus to others, e.g. disorientation, aggression,
attacks.

Front 8

incubation period of the rabies virus

Back 8

The incubation period is approx. 3 - 8 weeks in animals and
people.

*** The disease has a long, variable incubation
period of weeks to months.

Front 9

Is rabies fatal?

Back 9

• Invariably fatal

• Highest mortality
rate of any infectious
disease

• Death prevented
through prompt
post-exposure rabies
vaccinations

Front 10

Are rabies vax mandatory for dogs and cats?

Back 10

YES!!!

– between 3 - 4 months of age

– then within 12 months, and

– then annually or triennially,
in accordance with local
rabies laws and
veterinarian’s judgment.

Front 11

Punishment for not vaccinating your pet for rabies

Back 11

* Animal control officers
may issue Class C
misdemeanor citations
to owners who fail to
have a pet vaccinated
against rabies

• Veterinarians cannot
force clients to vaccinate their pets.

Front 12

“Currently” vaccinated
occurs when?

Back 12

– Vaccinated with a USDA approved product, by a
veterinarian

– At least 30 days have
passed following the
FIRST vaccination

– The interval between
vaccinations has not
expired.

Front 13

How long must veterinarians must keep the vaccination
records?

Back 13

Veterinarians must keep the vaccination records for 3 years
(with one-year vaccines) and 5
years (with three-year
vaccines).

Front 14

Rabies (or bite) case
investigators must
have access to what?

Back 14

Rabies (or bite) case investigators must have access to the exact dates of
animals’ last two rabies vaccinations
(month, day, and
year).

Front 15

Does Texas substitute rabies
antibody results for
rabies vaccinations?

Back 15

NO

Front 16

Does Texas waive animal rabies vaccinations for
medical reasons?

Back 16

NO

Front 17

What type of rabies
vaccine should be used
for postexposure
vaccinations of animals?

Back 17

– Any USDA-approved
veterinary rabies
vaccine

– any duration of
product is acceptable

Front 18

When should you administer postexposure rabies vaccinations to a dog/cat?

Back 18

– Exposed to known or “non-negative” rabid animal

– Injured by unknown wildlife

Front 19

Attack by unknown wild animal – why vaccinate for
rabies?

Back 19

It is the most conservative
approach, other than euthanasia, to prevent pet from
developing rabies.

Front 20

For an animal that was
currently vaccinated at
the time it was exposed to
rabies- what do you do?

Back 20

– either humanely destroy

– OR vaccinate immediately, and place in home confinement
for 45 days.

Front 21

For an animal that was not
currently vaccinated at the
time it was exposed to
rabies- what do you do?

Back 21

– either humanely destroy

– OR vaccinate immediately, and then again 3 and 8 weeks
later, and place in home confinement for 90 days.

Front 22

5 Home confinement instructions

Back 22

1. Avoid pet’s saliva.

2. Protect skin and mucous membranes from saliva
contamination.

3. Set up the isolation
housing away from other
pets and people.

4. Don’t allow visitors.

5. “Don’t let your guard
down!”

Front 23

10-day quarantine

Back 23

A 10-day quarantine ONLY applies to the observation period for dogs and cats that have bitten a person!

Front 24

Infectious materials for the rabies virus include what 3 things?

Back 24

– Saliva
– Central nervous system
tissue
– Cerebrospinal fluid

Front 25

Rabies Transmission

Back 25

Fluid or tissue containing rabies virus is “inoculated” into fresh wounds (i.e. bites, scratches) or contacts mucous membranes

Front 26

Rabies exposure is possible when bats are in the same room with what 3 types of people?

Back 26

• a sleeping person

• an unattended child

• a mentally impaired or
intoxicated person

Front 27

Rabies is not
transmitted through what common vectors?

Back 27

– aerosols
– intact skin
– water
contaminated by
saliva
– “dry” fomites (e.g.
chew toys)

Front 28

When is an animal infectious with the rabies virus?

Back 28

When virus is in saliva.

* virus moves through
the brain to the salivary glands.

Front 29

Can animals appear normal even when rabies virus is
present in their saliva?

Back 29

YES- This is why biting animals must either be placed in
rabies quarantine for a specified observation period or euthanized and tested for rabies.

Front 30

Do veterinarians have the legal authority to quarantine or
test biting animals or “rabies
suspect” animals?

Back 30

YES

Front 31

Are veterinarians protected from liability when they
quarantine or test an animal for rabies?

Back 31

YES- except in cases of
willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Front 32

Quarantine location options

Back 32

– Private veterinary clinics for their own patients

– DSHS-approved quarantine facilities, (government shelters, veterinary clinics,
humane societies)

– Owner’s home (if currently vaccinated, not “stray” at the time of the bite, etc. and
approved by LRCA).

Front 33

What can happen if an owner fails to submit their animal for quarantine?

Back 33

• Failure to cooperate can
result in daily Class C
misdemeanor citations.
• Seizure warrants are used in
some cities.

Front 34

Quarantine pen requirements

Back 34

– Secure pen
– Top of pen covered to prevent escape
– No direct contact with people or other animals
– Solid sided
– Must be able to monitor the animal’s health status

Front 35

Can unowned (stray) domestic animals be euthanized
and tested prior to
the end of the 10-day
quarantine period?

Back 35

YES- such as after a 3-day
“hold”.

Front 36

What happens to animals that cannot be properly quarantined?

Back 36

must be euthanized and tested

Front 37

Rabies specimens submission
requirements

Back 37

– Collected properly to include adequate CNS tissue

– Packed correctly to stay chilled during transit

– Shipped by a reliable carrier

– Reported to the rabies laboratory personnel at the time of shipment