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For Immediate Release: 4/3/07

Health Alert

The Phelps/Maries County Health Department has been notified that a horse from Phelps County was found to be rabid on March 23, 2007.  The horse had been ill for about two weeks, with symptoms ranging from change in temperament initially to neurologic problems and aggressive behavior shortly before it was euthanized.  Because rabies in a domestic animal represents a serious and imminent public health threat, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is placing Phelps County under a rabies alert effective March 26, 2007.  Rabies occurs naturally in Missouri in wild animals and occasionally in domestic animals.  In 2006, a total of 66 rabid animals were detected, including 55 bats, 8 skunks, 1 cow, and 2 horses.  Missouri has averaged 48 rabid animals per year over the past ten years, primarily involving bats and skunks, but also including domestic species such as cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and one goat.  Statewide in 2007, a total of two rabid animals have been detected, including one bat and one horse.  DHSS rabies reports may be found on the web at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Rabies.

As a reminder, policy and procedures regarding how to respond to animal bite situations and possible rabies exposures, including patient treatment protocols and procedures for the quarantine/testing of animals, can be found in the Communicable Disease Investigation Reference Manual (see sections on “Animal Bites/Injuries” and “Rabies”).  The manual is found at the DHSS website: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CDManual/CDManual.htm.

Patients within your county should be informed to:

1. Avoid contact with wild animals and stray pets.
2. Make sure dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies.
3. Keep pets under control; do not let them run loose.
4. Do not keep wild animals or wild animal crosses as pets.
5. Notify the local animal control office or health department if they suspect an animal has rabies.
6. Seek medical evaluation when bitten or otherwise injured by an animal.

Animal (mammal) bites and rabies cases (human or animal) are reportable conditions.  Increased surveillance (submission of specimens from suspect domestic and wild animals during the 90-day rabies alert period) and reporting of rabid animals should be accomplished by health professionals, and animal control officials.  The rabies alert will be lifted after 90 days if rabies activity is not identified in any other domestic animals or in a significant number of wild animals.

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