Rabies
July 2007

Rabies is a severe viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is almost always fatal. All warm-blooded mammals including humans are susceptible to rabies.

What mammals carry rabies?

The primary reservoir of rabies in the northwest United States is bats. Between 5-10% of bats submitted for testing are found to be rabid.  The bats tested for rabies are a skewed population of sick and injured bats; less than 1% of healthy bats are infected with rabies.  Rabid bats have been found in almost every county in Washington.  While rabid raccoons, skunks, foxes or coyotes have not been identified in Washington, the virus can be transmitted from bats to these mammals.  In other parts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, rabies reservoirs include raccoons, skunks, foxes or coyotes.  In developing countries worldwide, dogs are the principal rabies reservoir.

How common is human rabies and what is the source of the rabies virus?

Human rabies is an extremely rare disease in this country. Since 1990 the number of reported cases in the United States has ranged from 1 to 7 cases annually. Almost all human rabies cases acquired in the United States since 1980 have been due to bat rabies virus. When human rabies occurs due to exposure outside of the United States it is usually the result of the bite of a rabid dog.

Has human rabies occurred recently in Washington?

There have been two cases of human rabies identified in Washington during the last 20 years. In 1995, a four year old child died of rabies four weeks after a bat was found in her bedroom and in 1997, a 64 year old man was diagnosed with rabies.  These two Washington residents were infected with bat rabies virus.

During the last 20 years, several domestic animals have been diagnosed with rabies. In 2002, a rabid cat was identified in Walla Walla County with bat rabies. The last suspected rabid dog was identified in Pierce County in 1987.  In 1992, a horse in Benton County died of rabies and in 1994, a llama in King County died after becoming infected with a bat rabies virus.

How is rabies spread?

The rabies virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal. It is usually spread to humans by animal bites. Rabies could potentially be spread if the virus comes into contact with mucous membranes (eye, nose, respiratory tract), open cuts, wounds, or abraded skin. Person-to-person transmission of rabies has occurred only through tissue transplantation.

What are the symptoms?

While early symptoms include headache, fever, and sometimes pain at the site of the exposure (bite), the disease rapidly progresses into a severe neurologic illness.  Neurologic symptoms may include agitation, confusion, paralysis, and difficulty swallowing. Most patients die within a few days or weeks of onset.

How soon do symptoms appear?

Normally two to eight weeks after exposure, but the incubation period may vary.

Clean the site of any animal bite with soap and water.  Contact your health care provider and local health department to determine the potential for rabies exposure, the need for treatment, and to decide whether or not to test the animal for rabies.

Do not touch the bat.  Close the doors and windows to the room. Wearing leather or other thick gloves, capture the bat in a can or box without touching it. S eal the container and call your local health department.  They will help you determine if any people or pets in your home may have been exposed and can arrange to test the bat for rabies, if needed.  “Bat proof” your home by making sure open windows have screens and other small entry points are sealed.

Safe and effective treatment following potential rabies exposure should begin immediately after the exposure occurs. Treatment can be arranged through your health care provider and your local health department.

• Do not handle wild animals, especially bats.

• Teach your children never to touch or handle bats, even dead ones. Have your children tell an adult if they find a bat at home, at school, or with a pet.

• If you see a wild animal leave it alone.

• Do not keep wild animals as pets.

• Keep bats out of your living space

• Protect your pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) from getting rabies

• Pets may get rabies if bitten by a rabid animal. Protect them and yourself by getting them vaccinated routinely. Consult your veterinarian for vaccine recommendations.

Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for travelers planning to be more than 30 days in an area of the world where rabies is a constant threat. Contact your health care provider for this information.

Pre-exposure vaccination is also recommended for any person whose occupation involves frequent risk of rabies exposure. In Washington this includes anyone who handles bats, veterinarians, employees in veterinary clinics, and laboratory workers where rabies test specimens are handled.

For more information call your local health department or Communicable Disease Epidemiology (206) 418-5500 or toll-free 877-539-4344.

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Last Update : 02/20/2008 12:15 PM
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