Monday, September 28, 2015

World Rabies Day




Dr. Kurt Rossebo

World Rabies Day?  Is there such a thing?  Yes there is!  It is September 28, 2015.  World Rabies Day is an annual event started in 2007 to raise awareness about rabies worldwide.


In the United States, rabies is thought of as a nasty, foaming disease that only animals get.  In reality, an estimated 55,000 people worldwide die each year from rabies.  That is one person every 10 minutes!  Most are children under 15 years old.  95% of rabies victims are in Africa and Asia.


In the US, roughly 6000 animals each year test positive for the rabies virus.  One or two people die from rabies each year in the US, mostly due to bat bites.  In Wisconsin in 2014, 27 animals tested positive – 26 bats and 1 skunk.


Unfortunately for us, bats are one of the few mammals that get into our homes with regularity.  It is extremely important that we keep ALL our pets vaccinated for rabies, even those who are strictly indoors.  Just as importantly, if you find a bat in  your house, contact your county’s public health department and they can direct you regarding  testing the bat for rabies, so family members do not have to receive unnecessary post exposure vaccinations.


A miraculous case of surviving rabies occurred right here in Wisconsin in 2004, after Jeanna Giese was bitten by a bat.  Her case underscores the importance of having any bat that finds its way into your home tested. 


If you would like more information about this subject, please check out Global Alliance for Rabies Control.


Understanding Rabies Video                      Rabies FAQs