Rabies

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. It is transmitted by a rabid animal, usually through a bite, scratch or saliva contact with broken skin.

Early symptoms of the disease can include fever or headache, but quickly leads to nervous system problems, such as difficulty walking, confusion, sleepiness, or agitation. Once someone with rabies infection starts showing symptoms, he or she usually does not survive, so it is very important to talk to your health care provider right away if you are bitten by any animal--even a household pet--and especially if the bite is from a wild animal, such as a bat.

Worldwide, about one person every 10 minutes dies of rabies, mostly in Africa and Asia. Although human rabies is rare in the United States, where there are typically only two to six cases per year, animal bites are very common. As a result, thousands of people each year receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. This is a nearly monthlong process requiring one immune shot and five vaccine shots.

Oregon law requires all dogs in the state to be vaccinated against rabies. Multnomah County requires all cats to be vaccinated. Nationally, twice as many cats as dogs are reported to have rabies each year, which is why it's a good idea to vaccinate cats as well. This is especially important for cats as they are natural predators and most likely to be attracted by a sick bat. An unvaccinated cat that comes in contact with a rabid bat may have to be euthanized.

Vaccinating pets against rabies protects them and provides a "buffer zone" between humans and rabid wild animals. Oregon law requires unvaccinated animals that may have been in contact with rabid animals to be quarantined for six months or euthanized.

While the incidence of rabies in horses is low, the disease is invariably fatal. Because of this and the risk to public health, the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends annual rabies vaccinations for horses.

In May 2008, a bat was found in SE Portland (Multnomah County) and subsequently tested positive for rabies, prompting public health officials to remind people to protect themselves and their pets. Dr. Emilio DeBess, public health veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Human Services, is urging people to protect themselves and their pets against the disease. Anyone exposed to a bat should be vaccinated for rabies immediately.

In 2007, 16 bats and two foxes tested positive for rabies. In 2006, 23 bats and two foxes tested positive for rabies.

Oregon has not had a human case of rabies in more than 15 years, but humans are handling bats more than they have before. Often, humans are exposed by picking up a seemingly injured bat. If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should be avoided. Cats increase the risk by playing with bats and taking them into homes.

Bats are tested for rabies only when someone has had physical contact with them. In the general population of bats, only about 0.5 percent carry rabies. Bats emerge from hibernation in early spring and remain active until late fall.

Sources: News reports, Oregon Department of Human Services, State Public Health Veterinarian

Updated 5.12.08