Rabies

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. It is transmitted by a bite from a rabid animal.

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 or three cases per year, animal bites are very common.

As a result, thousands of people each year receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. The recommended treatment is now four shots given in the first two weeks after exposure on days 0, 3, 7 and 14. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended this revision in treatment to the CDC in June 2009. The new recommendations eliminate the fifth shot, which was given at 28 days post-exposure.

If You Are Bitten

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, it is important to consult with your health care provider.

According to the law, dogs, cats or ferrets that bite humans should be quarantined for 10 days. If any other animal bites a human, euthanasia and rabies testing of the animal is recommended.

Oregon State and County Law Requires Rabies Vaccination for Pets

Vaccinating pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) against rabies protects them and provides a “buffer zone” between humans and rabid wild animals. Oregon law requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies as early as three months of age. In addition, Multnomah County requires all cats to be vaccinated for rabies.

Oregon law requires unvaccinated pets that may have been in contact with rabid animals (such as bats) to be quarantined for six months or euthanized.

Vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and observed for 45 days. Any illness in an isolated or confined animal should be reported immediately to the local health department. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal should be euthanized and tested.

Why It's Important to Vaccinate Cats

Nationally, twice as many cats as dogs are reported to have rabies each year, which is why it’s important to vaccinate your cats for rabies. Cats are natural predators and may be attracted to bats, which could be rabid. Cats come into contact with bats far more often than other pets and, if not vaccinated, may have to be euthanized after such contact.

Do Not Pick Up or Touch Bats

Bats play an important role in the ecosystem, especially in controlling insects at night. They are an important insect predator; they often eat mosquitoes and can catch over 1,000 tiny insects in an hour. Bats emerge from hibernation in early spring and remain active until late fall; they are most active in warm weather.

Most often, humans are exposed to rabies by picking up a seemingly injured bat. If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should be avoided.

Anyone bitten by a bat should be vaccinated for rabies immediately if the bat is not available for testing. Cats increase the risk by playing with bats and taking them into homes.

Every year about 10 percent of the bats tested for rabies test positive for the disease. Bats are tested for rabies only when a person or a pet has had physical contact with them.

Horses Should Be Vaccinated, Too

While the incidence of rabies is low, the disease is invariably fatal in horses. Because of this, and the risk to public health, the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends rabies vaccinations for horses. Consult with your veterinarian about vaccination protocols for your horse.