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 Natural Resources
Rabies - May 2012
(4 minutes:
24 seconds)
 MP4 (audio
only)
Audio/Video Script:
F. Dustan Clark
Interim Associate Center Director of Extension and Extension Veterinarian
Center of Excellence for Poultry Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
This year in Arkansas the Arkansas State Health Department has reported 68
rabies positive cases; 57 of which have been in skunks. In a typical year in
Arkansas, the number of rabies positive cases is approximately 32 in skunks and
10 positive bat cases. Hello, this is Dustan Clark, Extension Veterinarian.
Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that is most often transmitted through
the bite of a wild infected animal such as a skunk, bat, fox, or raccoon. In
Arkansas, the natural reservoirs for the virus are skunks and bats. The fox and
raccoon variant of the virus have not been reported in Arkansas. The disease, if
untreated, is virtually 100% fatal and in fact is considered to be the world’s
most fatal infectious disease. Rabies in people is very rare in the USA
(averaging 1-2 people per year that die from the disease), but worldwide as many
as 55,000 people still die from the disease each year, usually in countries that
do not have vaccination programs for dogs and cats. Domestic livestock such as
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, etc. may become exposed during normal
grazing or roaming when they investigate a rabid wild animal that may have
entered the barn, paddock, or lot. It is always important to help protect
yourself from being exposed to the disease. This is especially true considering
the number of positive cases so far in Arkansas. Things you can do to help
protect yourself include the following:
- Teach children not to approach or touch wild animals or dogs and cats
they do not know.
- Do not keep wild animals as pets.
- Report any animal bite to your physician immediately.
- Have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies by your local
veterinarian or at a rabies clinic conducted by the county health unit
environmental health specialist and a veterinarian.
- Several products are licensed for vaccination of dogs, cats, cattle,
sheep, and horses. No products are currently licensed for goats, pigs,
exotic animals (except ferrets), or captive wild animals.
- If you feed your own dogs and farm cats outside, leave the food down for
30 minutes, then take it up so that it will not attract wildlife or strays.
- If you see a wild animal that is acting strangely such as a skunk or bat
out during the daylight hours do not approach it to protect yourself from
being scratched or bitten by the animal.
- Report the location of the animal and the type of animal to your local
animal control office, the sheriffs department, or your local county health
unit environmental health specialist.
- Make sure your own animals, such as dogs and cats, are confined to
prevent them from being bitten and that they are current in their
vaccination against rabies.
- If you kill a wild animal that is acting strangely, do not shoot it in
the head. Call your local veterinarian, animal control officer, or county
health unit for instructions for getting the animal checked for rabies.
There is no test for a live animal. Animal tissues tested for rabies are
sent to the Arkansas Department of Health in special containers to prevent
exposure.
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Remember that in Arkansas it is a law that all
dogs and cats are to be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination is not
considered to be a legal vaccination if you obtain the vaccine and give it
to your own animals. It must be given by a licensed veterinarian to be
legal.
-
If you have questions regarding animal
vaccination contact your veterinarian.
Do not keep wild animals as pets and never approach
a wild animal that is acting abnormally. For your safety and that of your
neighbors, have your dogs and cats vaccinated, it is the law in Arkansas. If you
are bitten by any animal get medical attention.
For additional information on Rabies contact your local county extension
office, your local veterinarian, or your local county health unit.
This has been Dustan Clark, Extension Veterinarian.
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