Objectives. To summarize New York's rabies epizootic, including the species of animals affected and human post-exposure treatment from 1993 through 1998. Methods. The State Health Department's Rabies laboratory database on all animals tested within the state was analyzed for trends in rabid animals. In addition, data from the rabies surveillance reporting system for human post-exposure rabies treatments was analyzed and linked to the laboratory database. Results. A total of 56,949 specimens was submitted to the state laboratory from 1993 through 1998 and rabies was confirmed in 8,868 animals. Raccoons were the most common rabid animals (75%), followed by skunks (13%), bats (5%), and cats (2%). A total of 18,317 persons received post-exposure rabies prophylaxis following exposure to 11,777 animals where 4393, 4237, and 3586 persons received prophylaxis after exposure to 2550 bats, 2660 raccoons, and 2713 cats respectively. Most prophylaxis treatments were reported as associated with contact with saliva or nervous tissue (46%), followed by bite (40%) and scratch (6%) exposure. Two fatal human cases related to bat rabies variant resulted in 103 exposed persons being treated. Conclusions. The spread of the raccoon rabies epizootic into New York State has increased the number of humans receiving treatment for rabies. Control strategies have included enhanced efforts to vaccinate domestic animals, public education to avoid exposure to wild animals and to submit exposing animals for rabies testing, provider education on appropriate indications for post-exposure prophylaxis, and oral raccoon rabies vaccination trials to reduce animal rabies.
Learning Objectives: During this session, faculty will discuss recent research regarding the human prophylaxis treatment after exposed to suspected rabies animals
Keywords: Rabies, Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.