Dog Strain Rabies Eliminated In the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the elimination of the type of rabies previously found in dogs in the United States. This does not mean that all rabies has been eliminated or that dogs should stop being vaccinated. Animals in the wild such as bats, skunks, and raccoons carry rabies and can infect dogs and humans. However, this is a public health success story which reflects the efforts of many in the implementation of dog vaccination and licensing, and stray dog control.

Rabies is a viral disease that reportedly kills 55,000 people globally every year. Infection is usually through a bite (saliva)from the rabid animal. The virus infects the nervous system and causes encephalopathy (swelling of the brain) which leads to death. The incubation period in humans is typically one to three months, and possibly up to one year or more. Symptoms include fever and headache followed by insomnia, agitation, confusion, paralysis, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Once symptoms appear, death usually follows a few days later. It can be prevented with a vaccine but once symptoms emerge it is too late and death is inevitable as the disease is almost impossible to treat.


References: Center for Disease Control.
Photo: Courtesy of Chorley Council.