Rabies

Rabies and Animal Bites

  • Estimated 30,000 to 50,000 human rabies cases in the world each year
  • 3-6 human rabies in the US each year

Rabies is a disease, caused by a virus, that can infect all mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through contact with the saliva or nervous tissue of an infectious animal--usually through a bite. If an exposed person or animal is not treated quickly, the virus may infect the person or animal and may result in death.

Rabies is almost always fatal to animals and people once signs of disease appear. There is an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 human rabies cases in the world and 3 to 6 in the United States each year. Immediate treatment by a doctor after exposure, possibly including a post-exposure rabies vaccination, will prevent development of the disease.

Rabies can infect any mammal. In North Carolina it is most common in non-domesticated animals such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but has also been found in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, bats, and other domesticated animals. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of animals found to have rabies in North Carolina.

Because it can be fatal, rabies should be considered extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is important to prevent exposure to the rabies virus whenever possible. The best way to avoid rabies is to stay away from animals that appear sick or act oddly, and avoid contact with strange animals and wildlife. Since people's pets may be exposed to rabies when they come in contact with other animals, pets should be vaccinated by a veterinarian. To help protect people against rabies, vaccination of dogs and cats is required by law in North Carolina.

Within the Appalachian District there were seven confirmed cases in 2005. For a breakdown by county refer to the table below.

Appalachian District Health Department Counties
Confirmed cases of animals with Rabies in 2005
Contact Information Concerning Rabies in 2005
Alleghany County
1
12
Ashe County
2
58
Watauga County
4
12