Newsroom > DHHS News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2007

CONTACTS
Dr. Annette Bredthauer, Public Health Veterinarian, (402) 471-1374 or annette.bredthauer@dhhs.ne.gov
Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047 or marla.augustine@dhhs.ne.gov

Sound bites on this topic are available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/.

Lincoln—September 8 is the first World Rabies Day, sponsored by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its mission is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies. Throughout the world, more than 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies each year.

Rabies among humans is rare in the U.S. Most cases here are "imported," meaning the individuals with rabies were bitten in other countries, mostly by bats. The last human case reported in Nebraska occurred in 1926.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services tests and tracks animals submitted for testing.

The number of rabies cases in animals is currently on the decline in Nebraska, according to Dr. Annette Bredthauer, the state’s public health veterinarian. But rabies is cyclical in nature, meaning the number of cases rise and fall, depending on the level of rabies in the skunk population.

The most common hosts of rabies virus are skunks, followed by raccoons. Other common hosts include bats and domestic animals like cats, dogs and horses.

Last year there were 34 cases reported in animals; in 2005, 52; and in 2004, 104. The highest number of cases ever reported to the Department was 198 in 1981.

"Last year we had the lowest number of animal cases reported since 2002," said Dr. Bredthauer. "So far this year we’ve had 20 cases, but just because cases seem to be declining, we should not let our guard down."

Rabies is uniformly fatal, with one known exception, a 15-year-old girl from Michigan who contracted the disease in 2004. Experimental treatment was successful in saving her life but that treatment has not succeeded in saving others.

People should take precautions to limit their potential exposure to rabid animals, Dr. Bredthauer said. If an animal is acting strangely, leave it alone. Strange behavior can include nocturnal animals such as skunks being out in the day, wild animals that seem tame and approach people, and domestic animals who seem either vicious or unresponsive.

People should contact their local animal control or their sheriff’s office if they see an animal acting strangely.

If a bat is found on the ground, it should be left there, Dr. Bredthauer said. If a bat is found in a residence, call the local authorities. If necessary, it can be collected by a butterfly net or by placing a container over it when it lands and sliding cardboard underneath. Don’t hit the bat or step on it because its brain must be intact in order to be tested.

If a person is bitten and the animal is not available for testing, the physician may recommend rabies prevention treatment as a precaution.

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