WE WILL BE HAVING A LOW-COST RABIES VACCINE CLINIC SATURDAY, JULY 21, 8:00-11:00 AM.

Rabies Quarantine 2007

Yellowstone County is under a 60-day rabies quarantine after the death of a dog caused by rabies the end of June 2007.  Wheatland County (Harlowton) is also under quarantine due to a rabid dog’s death in mid June 2007.  The quarantine was instated by the Montana State Veterinarian, Jeanne Rankin, DVM, to prevent a rabies outbreak throughout the State.

Dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets that have not been vaccinated are not allowed to leave Yellowstone County.  Individual dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets that are currently vaccinated against rabies, having been officially vaccinated for at least fourteen (14) days, and are accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate, are released from this quarantine and eligible for movement out of Yellowstone County.  Individual dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets that are not currently vaccinated against rabies will be released from quarantine fourteen (14) days following an official rabies vaccination.

This quarantine should end, under direction of the Montana State Veterinarian and pending no new cases of rabies, the end of August or first part of September 2007.

Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that can occur in many kinds of animals, including people.  It is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.  It’s always fatal (causes death) unless it’s treated before symptoms appear.  The virus is found in the saliva or brain of the infected animal and is usually transmitted through bites and scratches.  The risk of human infection after being bitten by a rabid animal can be as high as 80 percent, whereas the risk after being scratched is less than 1 percent.

The rabies virus affects the nervous system.  Large amounts of virus are present in the salivary glands, where it is shed.  Salivary virus excretion begins up to 2 weeks before onset of neurologic symptoms.  The incubation period varies from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the innervation at the bite site, distance from the bite wound to the central nervous system and the virus variant and amount of virus in the exposure.

For animals, a wound consistent with a bite (either explainable or not) may be seen. The initial symptoms of rabies are characterized by a change in behavior, which may include anxiety, solitude, and apprehension.  Fever may be present, and pruritus (itching) may be present at the site of exposure.  The initial symptoms lasts 2-3 days then the disease progresses to either a paralytic (dumb) form or furious form.

The majority of canine cases are of the paralytic form, characterized by lethargy, difficulty swallowing, drooling/frothing at the mouth, voice or bark change, dropped jaw, and paralysis.  With this form, the animal will show symptoms for 1-7 days and then die.

The majority of feline cases are of the furious form, characterized by aggression, biting, altered voice, paralysis, seizures, and ataxia.  Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, like touch, pain, noise, and visual stimulus are possible.  With this form, the animal will show symptoms for 2-4 days and then die.

On average, fewer than 20 animals test positive for rabies each year in Montana, according to the Department of Livestock.  Most are bats and skunks, but domestic animals like dogs and cats can become infected if they interact with infected wild animals.  Nationally, domestic animals account for less than 10% of reported rabies cases.

Early symptoms of rabies in humans include a bite wound, fever, headache, and general malaise.  As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include trouble sleeping, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, hallucinations, agitation, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, and fear of water.  Death usually occurs within days of the first symptoms.

The number of human deaths due to rabies in the United States has declined from more than 100 a year in 1900 to one or two a year in the 1990’s, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.  In Montana, two deaths have been recorded in the past 50 years; one in 1996 and another in 1997.  Deaths generally involved people who didn’t seek medical help, usually because they didn’t realize they’d been exposed.

Vaccinate Pets

Vaccinating our domesticated pets is a major step in preventing rabies from entering the human population.  Pet owners are required by law to vaccinate their dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies.  Vaccination protects both people and animals.  If an unvaccinated pet is bitten by a wild animal and that animal isn’t caught for testing, the pet will have to be humanely put down (euthanasia) or put in strict quarantine for six (6) months.  To help prevent the risk that pets come into contact with a wild rabid animal, do not let your pets roam. 

Stay Away from Wild or Stray Animals

Never approach a wild, stray, sick, or injured animal, no matter how helpless it looks.  Even stray cats can be dangerous.  Keep children and pets away from them too.  Skunks and bats are the most common carriers of rabies in Montana.  Raccoons and fox are other potential carriers.  Be careful around these animals – especially if they appear sick or behave strangely. 

You can help protect yourself from exposure to rabies by:

• Having all pets, including house cats, examined yearly by a veterinarian and vaccinated if necessary.
• Keeping garbage in tight containers to avoid attracting animals.
• Staying away from domestic animals that act too aggressively.
• Staying away from wild animals that seem unafraid of humans.
• Avoiding night animals, like raccoons, that are active during the day.
• Calling your local animal control agency if you see an animal behaving suspiciously.

 If an animal bites you:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and water.
• Consult a doctor right away to see if you need a tetanus shot or rabies evaluation.