World Rabies Day is observed each year on September 28, and there are startling facts you need to know about the viral disease.

Thomas F. Dock, Director of Communications at Noah’s Animal Hospitals, explains what rabies is and how dangerous the disease can be.Rabies is a zoonotic disease that infects warm blooded animals (mammals and birds) and is considered almost 100% fatal.  Each year, approximately 59,000 people die from rabies, which equates to one person every nine minutes.  

Most cases come from Asia and Africa, with about 50% occurring in children. Here in the US, human cases of rabies are rare, but more than 40,000 people receive prophylatic rabies vaccinations each year due to potential exposure to rabid wildlife, especially bats. Recently in Elkhart, a young boy (7-years-old) underwent prophylaxis due to a bat bite.

The Miami Zoo is currently warning visitors that six rabid raccoons have been found within its 740 acres since May 2018.

Cases of rabies in humans in the US have dropped to almost zero since mandatory vaccination of dogs was started. Our pets should be vaccinated against rabies unless there is a medical reason to not vaccinate. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are often required by law to be vaccinated; horses and other livestock can also be vaccinated in areas where rabies is endemic in skunks.

Avoid interaction with wildlife, especially raccoons and skunks who are out in the daylight.  This is not normal behavior and likely means that the animal is sick from some virus (rabies or canine distemper).

There is currently no test for rabies that can be done on a live animal. Rabies is invariably fatal and the best protection is vaccination.

Get more information at www.noahshospitals.com.