90862005Rabies and rabies prevention are still a significant public health issue in the United States. Rabies in humans fortunately is rare because of prophylactic measures after animal bites and because of control of rabies in domestic animals. It is a major medical issue in developing countries, with up to 100,000 human deaths worldwide annually.

In the United States, the animals that usually spread rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Raccoons are the number one cause. In developing countries the most frequent cause of rabies is dog bites.


preventPrevention

  • Immunize your pets against rabies.
  • Use caution around animals you do not know, even domestic ones.
  • Avoid physical contact with strays and wild animals, whether dead or alive.
  • Do not attempt to domesticate wild animals, especially raccoons.
  • Tightly secure garbage can lids and make them less accessible to prowling dogs, raccoons, and skunks.
  • If you have young children and you plan an extended stay in a country where rabies is common, consider getting them immunized against rabies.

Remember, in developing countries, dogs are the number one cause of rabies. Caution your children about petting dogs in third-world countries, especially in Asia. Domestic pets such as white rats, hamsters, and mice do not carry rabies. Squirrel bites would be very unlikely to lead to rabies. If there is any doubt, contact your doctor or local state public health authorities. Be especially wary of bats: your child does not have to be bitten by a bat to get rabies.

Rabies may be transmitted via bat urine or other bat secretions entering through mucous membranes such as the eye or mouth. If there is any doubt about your child’s exposure to a bat while sleeping, contact your doctor or local health authorities.


treatmentTreatment

Initial treatment of any animal bite includes extensive cleansing, as described in Chapter 55, followed by further wound care as necessary. Your child may also need tetanus prevention as well as antibiotics. Your doctor will then determine whether a course of rabies shots is necessary.


Note: If you are planning an extended stay in an area where there is a high incidence of rabies, consider immunizing your children against rabies before you depart. This may be important if you are planning a long stay in a lesser-developed country where rabies is common.