In the News: Rabies Alert for Howell County

March 23, 2011 The Howell County Health Department has announced that the first confirmed case of rabies of 2011 has been reported to the Howell County Health Department by the Missouri State Public Health Lab in Jefferson City. The case involved a rabid skunk near E Hwy in Moody. The skunk exposed the virus to four dogs that had been vaccinated against Rabies. The dogs will receive a booster shot and have been placed on a 45 day at-home observation.

On April 14, 2010 Howell County was placed under a rabies alert by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).  The alert was issued due to the increased rate of positive rabies tests on skunks in 2010.  

Statewide in 2010, a total of 48 rabid animals were detected, including 15 skunks in Howell County, 2 skunks in Oregon County and one skunk each in Douglas and Texas Counties.  Wright County also has one case of rabies, involving a cat.  Missouri has averaged about 54 rabid animals per year over the past ten years, primarily involving skunks and bats, but also including domestic species such as cats, dogs, cattle, horses and one goat.

In 2009, Howell County had a total of 4 positive rabies cases, which included 3 skunks and 1 bat.  Howell County ended 2008 with a total of 2 rabies cases. “In previous years, nine cases had been our highest yearly total. We have already reached that number and continue to have cases reported to us that require testing. 2010 has been a record breaking year in the total number of rabies cases in Howell County,” Frazier stated.

In 2008, a Texas county man died from rabies after being bitten on the ear by a bat and who failed to seek medical treatment following the bite.  This was the first human rabies death in Missouri since 1959.  Many Missourians receive the anti-rabies series of shots each year to prevent the development of rabies after having a possible exposure to a rabid animal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 40,000 persons in the United States receive the anti-rabies series of shots annually.

Although rabies is transmitted to humans almost entirely through bites from rabid animals, contamination of open wounds or mucous membranes with saliva or nervous tissue from a rabid animal could potentially constitute an exposure.  Justin Frazier, Environmental Public Health Supervisor with the Howell County Health Department said, “It is extremely important for anyone that has been bitten by a domestic animal or had an exposure such as a bite or scratch from a wild animal report the incident to the health department as well as their physician for a rabies risk assessment.  Many people think that they can take a “wait and see” approach and if symptoms develop, then they can seek treatment.  Unfortunately, once symptoms are present, death is almost certain in all cases.” 

Management of Pets Bitten by a Rabid Animal

Pet owners should be aware that if their dog or cat does not have a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian and is bitten by a rabid animal, the pet will either need to be euthanized or quarantined for six months at the owner's expense at an approved vet facility.  In contrast, a dog or cat that is currently vaccinated and which is exposed to a rabid animal needs only a rabies booster shot followed by a 45-day home quarantine.  Domestic animals are protected from rabies exposure 28 days after receiving their initial rabies vaccination.

Actions Following a Possible Rabies Exposure:

● Contact the Howell County Health Department 
● Domestic Animals: Identify and, if possible, confine the biting animal. Dogs, cats, and ferrets may be quarantined for ten days (if animal has had rabies vaccination within 12 months, healthy and depending on other circumstances), or they may be euthanized and tested for rabies. Other domestic animals are handled on a case-by-case basis.
● Wild Animals: Identify and, if possible, confine the biting animal for rabies testing. No quarantine period is recognized for wild animals.
● Wash the Wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.  ● Consult with a Physician to: (1) check your tetanus immunization status, (2) determine if antibiotic treatment is needed for bacterial infection, (3) determine if other medical procedures are necessary, such as sutures in the case of disfiguring wounds, and (4) have a rabies risk assessment completed, including determining if the anti-rabies series of shots is warranted.

Community Prevention - Rabies is 100% Preventable

• Ensure dogs and cats have had a rabies vaccination within the past 12 months. Vaccinations are also available for ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep. The effectiveness of animal vaccines is the main reason for the nationwide decline in rabies cases among people and domestic animals.
• Keep pets under control; do not allow them to run loose.
• Avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals; do not keep wild animals or wild animal crosses as pets.
• Report wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior or stray pets to animal control officials.
• Personal pets should not be handled without protection directly after being exposed to wildlife due to the potential for carrying residual saliva from the infected animal.

Howell County Health Department
180 S. Kentucky St.
West Plains, MO 65775
Telephone: (417) 256-7078
Fax: (417) 256-1179
Website: http://www.howellcountyhealthdept.com