Rabies

Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system. You can be infected with the rabies virus if you are bitten by an animal that has the disease. You can also get rabies if the saliva from a rabid animal contacts your mucous membranes or any open wounds you might have. If you have such contact with a rabid animal, only a series of shots can keep you from getting the disease.

• Facts
  History and facts about rabies.
• Rabies/La Rabia
  Rabies educational document in English and Spanish
• Facts of Interest Pertaining to Rabies (PDF)
  8 things you may not know about rabies – but should
• The Many Faces of Rabies - Elsevier Connect
  Categories of animals and types of behaviors associated with rabies

This document has been designed to be a guide for medical care providers (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory workers) in the evaluation of possible exposures of humans to rabies virus and for the treatment of probable exposures. Information valuable to veterinarians and animal control officers who are submitting animal specimens for rabies evaluation is also included.

• rabies biologicals,
• management of biting animals,
• collection and submission of animal specimens for rabies testing at the DSHS laboratory in Austin,
• a list of and contact information for DSHS-designated laboratories,
• the management of domestic animals exposed to rabid animals,
• rabies post-exposure prophylaxis for humans with a guide for determining if it is necessary,
• a list of and contact information for laboratories that provide RFFIT (rabies titer) testing,
• pre-exposure vaccination for humans,
• adverse reactions, precautions, and contraindications of rabies vaccine,
• distribution points for human rabies biologicals,
• and contact information for the Regional Zoonosis Control offices and the Zoonosis Control Branch.

Rabies Prevention in Texas (PDF format) has been placed on the Internet so that professionals involved with evaluating and treating possible human exposures to rabies virus will have the needed information available to them everyday, twenty-four hours a day.

Additional Resources:

• Animal Rabies Prevention and Control Compendium and Resources from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians
• Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP)

Send comments, suggestions or questions regarding this document to The Vet.

• Rabies Vaccine for People: Information pertaining to the availability of rabies biologicals for people.
• Texas laws pertaining to rabies vaccinations for animals:
  • Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826, Rabies Control Act
  • Texas Administrative Code, Ch. 169, Rabies Control and Eradication
  • Rabies Prevention in Texas
  • The Oral Rabies Vaccination Programs. Program information, statistics and field updates.

  History of Rabies In Texas (PDF, 7.58KB)

  Rabies in Skunks

  Texas periodically experiences outbreaks of rabies in skunks. Certain parts of Texas are currently experiencing such an outbreak.

  Find out the number of confirmed cases of rabies in your county.

  What you should know:

  • Don't handle any wildlife, regardless of whether it appears healthy or sick.
  • Teach your children to never touch wildlife.
  • Have your pet vaccinated to protect him or her against rabies.
  • Rabies is transmitted through saliva, most typically in bites. You cannot get rabies by being sprayed by a skunk.
  • If you or pet get bitten, immediately wash the wound with soap and water. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible to determine whether treatment is needed to prevent rabies. Once symptoms of rabies begin, the disease is fatal.
  • Rabies Facts
  • Rabies/La Rabia: Rabies educational document in English and Spanish
  • Poster Contest: Contest Information for the Rabies Awareness & Prevention Poster contest for K-8
  • Facts: History and facts about rabies.
  • Control: Rabies control in Texas, pamphlets, and programs.
  • Exposure: Exposure and treatment of rabies in Texas.
  • Rabies Prevention in Texas includes sections on rabies biologicals; management of biting animals; collection and submission of animal specimens for rabies testing at the DSHS laboratory in Austin; list of and contact information for DSHS-designated laboratories; management of domestic animals exposed to rabid animals; rabies postexposure prophylaxis for humans with a guide for determining if it is necessary, plus a list of and contact information for laboratories that provide RFFIT (rabies titer) testing; preexposure vaccination for humans; adverse reactions, precautions, and contraindications about rabies vaccine; distribution points for human rabies biologicals; and contact information for the Zoonosis Control Branch and Infectious Disease Control Unit.
  • Facts of Interest Pertaining to Rabies (PDF): 8 things you may not know about rabies – but should
  • The Many Faces of Rabies - Elsevier Connect. Categories of animals and types of behaviors associated with rabies
  • More: Other useful Rabies information

  Pets

  Rabies Vaccination Requirements for Pets

  The state of Texas requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age. The vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Additionally, when traveling with a dog or cat, have in your possession a rabies vaccination certificate that was signed by the veterinarian who administered the vaccination. Check with your veterinarian about other vaccines that are available for a wide range of diseases in these animals.

  For an animal to be considered currently vaccinated against rabies in rabies exposure situations, at least 30 days must have elapsed since the initial vaccination and the time elapsed since the most recent vaccination must not have exceeded the recommended interval for booster vaccination as established by the manufacturer. Local jurisdictions may require more frequent rabies vaccination intervals.

  All dogs and cats 12 weeks of age or older that are being transported into Texas must have been vaccinated against rabies and not be overdue. Proof of vaccination must be provided via a rabies vaccination certificate (or pet passport) signed by the attending veterinarian. Veterinarians in Texas are restricted to using vaccines approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); however, for entry purposes only, dogs and cats traveling into the state from another country may be inoculated against rabies with killed, modified live, or recombinant vaccine. Once in Texas, if a USDA-approved vaccine was not used or the veterinarian who administered it was not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, compliance must be achieved.

  Although not required by law, it is recommended that livestock (especially those that have frequent contact with humans), domestic ferrets, and wolf-dog hybrids be vaccinated against rabies. Again, check with your veterinarian about other available vaccines for these animals.

  Additional information is also available:

  • Details on dog and cat entry requirements
  • Texas Administrative Code with rabies vaccination requirements
  Important Facts About Rabid Animals

  If a pet is infected with the rabies virus, the way it acts may change. A friendly dog might want to be alone. A shy dog might want attention. Rabid dogs often become mean, roam, make strange noises and attack people and other animals. Rabid animals may drool, and they sometimes swallow stones, sticks, or other things.

  Later, as the rabid animal gets even sicker, it might have trouble chewing, swallowing, drinking or walking. It may not be able to close its mouth and may appear to be choking. Never try to clear the throat of an animal with these signs. If you see an animal acting this way, call the local animal control agency right away.

  Signs of rabies include:

  • Animals that have a change in behavior
  • Wild animals that seem to be friendly or tame
  • Wild animals – coyotes, foxes, bats, skunks, and raccoons – which you do not usually see in the daytime
  • Animals that have a hard time walking, eating, or drinking
  • Excitement or meanness in animals
  • Animals that bite or scratch at an old wound until it bleeds

  Rabies and How it can be Controlled

  Prevention
  • By law, you must have a veterinarian vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies.
  • Restrain your pets; do not allow them to roam.
  • Avoid contact with wild animals and with dogs and cats, you do not know. Do not approach strange dogs or cats. Do not try to hand-feed wild animals and do not keep them as pets.
  • Do not touch sick or injured animals. Call and report them to an animal control officer.

  It is very important that everyone, especially children, know how to prevent rabies.

  Transmission

  Man and all mammals are susceptible to rabies, which is almost invariably fatal.

  The disease is transmitted by an infected animal's biting or licking. The virus enters the victim's body through a break in the skin, or rarely, through mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat).

  Rabies affects the central nervous system. It may take from ten days to over a year to develop; however, exposed people can be successfully treated before the development of symptoms by a series of vaccinations.

  Rabies infection is detected by laboratory examination of the suspect brain tissue.

  Wildlife rabies is a major source of infection for domestic animals, including pets. The disease may be transmitted to man either by infected wild or domestic animals.

  Contrary to popular belief, rabies occurs in all seasons and in all sections of the country.