In This Section . . .

For Immediate Release: 10/02/06

Increase in Animal Rabies Cases Prompts Statewide Public Health Advisory

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has released a "public health advisory" for rabies in Missouri. An unusually high percentage of rabid animals have been detected this year in Missouri, including three domestic animals. This prompted DHSS to notify public health officials, medical health care providers and veterinary professionals across the state.

Five counties have been placed on rabies alert this year, four of them since July. They include Callaway, Pulaski, Cole and Jackson counties. Barton County was under alert from February to May because of a rabid cow.

A horse from Pulaski County taken to a show in Tennessee August 20th was diagnosed with rabies by a laboratory in Tennessee September 7th. A horse from Callaway County tested positive for rabies September 9th at the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory. Testing performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on brain tissue from both horses indicated that the animals acquired rabies from infected bats. A different species of bat was involved in each incident. Approximately 40 persons are receiving anti-rabies vaccinations as a result of potential exposures to these horses. Cole and Jackson counties were placed on alert (July and August, respectively) because of increased percentages of bats testing positive for rabies.

In 2005, a total of 73 animals tested possible for rabies, including 54 bats, 17 skunks, one dog, and one horse. Missouri has averaged 42.5 rabid animals per year over the past decade, primarily bats and skunks, but also domestic species such as cats, dogs, cattle, horses, and one goat. Statewide this year, a total of 54 rabid animals have been detected so far, including 44 bats, seven skunks, two horses, and one cow.

Rabies is a disease of mammals and is transmitted primarily through bites. Over 90 percent of reported rabies cases are wild animals commonly seen in neighborhoods and backyards, such as bats, skunks, and foxes. Vaccinated pets are the barrier between those animals and loved ones and public health experts want pet owners to know that by protecting their pets they also are protecting their families.

Anyone bitten by an animal, particularly a stray dog, cat or a wild animal, should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes. If possible, and without further injury, try to capture or confine the biting animal so that it can be quarantined or tested for rabies. If the animal is destroyed, avoid damaging the head since the brain is the only specimen that can be tested for the presence of the rabies virus. Persons should contact their physician to see if medical care (antibiotics, tetanus booster, etc.) is needed, and to have a rabies risk assessment made. They should also contact their local health department to seek assistance in obtaining proper disposition of the biting animal. Because rabies is transmitted to people from animals and the animal test for rabies requires brain tissue samples, the animal must be euthanized and the brain harvested for testing.

Following are tips from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for rabies prevention.

Community Prevention

• Ensure dogs, cats, and ferrets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Vaccinations are also available for horses, cattle, and sheep. The effectiveness of animal vaccines is the main reason for the nationwide decline in rabies cases among people and domestic animals.
• Keep pets under control; do not allow them to run loose.
• Avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals; do not keep wild animals or wild animal crosses as pets.
• Report wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior or stray pets to animal control officials.

Tips for Children
Children suffer a disproportionate number of bites from animals, often resulting in serious injury to the face, head, and neck. The following tips can help children avoid being bitten, and the resulting physical/mental trauma and potential exposure to rabies and other diseases that accompany bites:

• Never touch unfamiliar or wild animals. Enjoy wild animals from afar.
• Avoid direct contact with stray animals. Stray cats and dogs may not have been vaccinated against rabies.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into the home.
• Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. It is common to want to rescue and nurse a hurt wild animal, but that animal may have rabies. Ask an adult to call an animal control officer or animal rescue group for help with the sick animal.
• Make sure that trash cans and pet foods are secured so that they do not attract wild animals.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• If bitten, report the bite to an adult immediately.

Information pertaining to rabies can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services web site, or at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Go Back