Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2007

R abies is a fatal viral zoonosis and a serious public health problem. 1 The disease is an acute progressive encephalitis caused by a Lyssavirus.Multiple viral variants are maintained in wild mammal populations in the United States.All mammals are believed to be susceptible to the disease, and for purposes of this document, use of the term "animal" refers to mammals.The recommendations in this compendium serve as a basis for animal rabies prevention and control programs throughout the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions, thereby contributing to an effective national rabies control program.This document is reviewed annually and revised as necessary.These recommendations do not supersede state and local laws or requirements.Principles of rabies prevention and control are detailed in Part I; Part II contains recommendations for parenteral vaccination procedures; all animal rabies vaccines licensed by the USDA and marketed in the United States are listed in Part III. Part I: Rabies Prevention and Control A) PRINCIPLES OF RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL 1) RABIES EXPOSURE:Rabies is transmitted only when the virus is introduced into bite wounds, into open cuts in skin, or onto mucous membranes from saliva or other potentially infectious material such as neural tissue. 2 Questions about possible exposures should be directed promptly to state or local public health authorities.2) PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION: Essential components of rabies prevention and control include ongoing public health education, responsible pet ownership, routine veterinary care, and professional continuing education.Most animal and human exposures to rabies can be prevented by raising awareness about rabies transmission routes, contact with wildlife, and appropriate veterinary care.Prompt recognition and reporting of possible exposures to medical professionals and local public health authorities is critical.3) HUMAN RABIES PREVENTION: Rabies in humans can be prevented either by eliminating exposures to rabid animals or by providing exposed persons with prompt local treatment of wounds combined with the administration of human rabies immune globulin and vaccine.The rationale for recommending pre-and postexposure rabies prophylaxis and details of their administration can be found in the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 2 These recommendations, along with information concerning the current local and regional epidemiology of animal rabies and the availability of human rabies biologics, are available from state health departments.4) DOMESTIC ANIMALS: Local governments should initiate and maintain effective programs to ensure vaccination of all dogs, cats, and ferrets and to remove strays and unwanted animals.Such procedures in the United States have reduced laboratory-confirmed cases of rabies in dogs from 6,949 in 1947 to 76 in 2005.3 Because more rabies cases are reported annually involving cats (269 in 2005) than dogs, vaccination of cats should be required.3 Animal shelters and animal-control authorities should establish policies to ensure that adopted animals are vaccinated against rabies.The recommended vaccination procedures and the licensed animal vaccines are specified in Parts II and III of the compendium, respectively.5) RABIES IN VACCINATED ANIMALS: Rabies is rare in vaccinated animals.4 If such an event is suspected, it should be reported to state public health officials; the vaccine manufacturer; and the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Veterinary Biologics (Internet