by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN
Rabies is a severe viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is one of the oldest diseases known to man with its presence being recorded by several ancient civilizations. The longstanding existence of rabies through the history of humankind speaks to the severity and fatality of the disease.
Ancient civilizations perceived rabies through superstition and myth. However, despite modern advancements, myths and misconceptions about rabies continue to persist.
The Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) would like to dispel a few misconceptions about rabies so that our community is armed against this disease.
Here are some common myths, along with the truth behind them.
Myth 1: Only wild animals like raccoons or bats carry rabies.
Fact: While wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are common carriers in the United States, rabies can infect any mammal including dogs, cats, and livestock. Unvaccinated domestic pets can contract and transmit rabies if exposed.
Myth 2: Rabies has been eradicated in the United States.
Fact: Around 4,000 animal rabies cases are reported each year in the United States, with more than 90% occurring in wildlife like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. While rabies is rare in humans and fewer than 10 human deaths are reported each year, three out of four Americans do live in communities where wildlife carry rabies.
Myth 3: Indoor pets don’t need rabies vaccinations.
Fact: Even indoor pets should be vaccinated. Bats can enter homes unnoticed, and accidental escapes happen. Vaccination is not only a legal requirement in many areas, but it is also the best protection against a fatal disease.
Myth 4: You can tell immediately if an animal has rabies after it bites.
Fact: There is no way to determine instantly whether an animal has rabies just by looking at it. In animals, confirmation requires laboratory testing of brain tissue, which can only be done after death. A seemingly healthy animal may still be infectious.
Myth 5: Rabies can be diagnosed before symptoms appear in humans.
Fact: There is no reliable test to detect rabies in humans before symptoms develop. This is why post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is a series of vaccines given after a possible exposure, is critical and highly effective if administered promptly.
Myth 6: Rabies can be cured once symptoms appear.
Fact: Once clinical symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. This is why immediate medical attention after a potential exposure is essential. Rabies is preventable with timely treatment, but not curable after symptoms begin.
Myth 7: A small scratch doesn’t require rabies vaccination.
Fact: Rabies spreads through saliva, and even minor scratches or small breaks in the skin can pose a risk if contaminated with saliva from an infected animal. Any potential exposure should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Myth 8: You should wait to see if symptoms develop before taking action.
Fact: If you suspect an animal may have rabies, or if your pet or a person has been bitten, scratched, or exposed to saliva from a potentially rabid animal, you should act immediately.
If someone is bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, they should:
- Scrub the wound with soap and water
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- The incident should also be reported to Polk County Animal Control at 863-577-1762 and they’ll ask for a description of the animal.
- Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment.
If your pet has been attacked by a wild or unvaccinated animal, wash it with soap, keep it away from others, contact your pet’s veterinarian, and report the exposure to Polk County Animal Control at 863-577-1762.
About the author: Dr. Alison Young-Tan, an internal medicine/pediatrics physician, currently serves the community as medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).