Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rabies Risk Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Dr. Sandra B. Nichols, Director

Arkansas Department of Health

Within the past forty years, only two human rabies deaths have been reported in Arkansas. However, the low number of deaths does not mean that risk should be taken lightly. The treat of rabies could be as close as your own backyard or home.

The first documented case of rabies was reported from Mesopotamia around 1200 BC. It was described as being a fatal disease acquired by humans from 'the bite of a mad dog'. While the disease can be spread by many types of animals, not just dogs, and by animals with no symptoms of unusual behavior, the early observation that rabies was fatal remains true today.

Rabies is a virus that affects the spinal cord and destroys brain cells. It is transmitted from infected animal saliva or other body fluid to a human, usually through a bite or lick to a break in the skin. Rabies can be transmitted if the fluid comes into contact with the mucus membranes (mouth, nose or eyes) of other animals or people.

An estamited 30,000 people die each year from rabies world-wide. In the U.S., there were six cases of rabies reported in 1994, and three cases were reported in 1995. Within the past forty years, only two human rabies deaths have been reported in Arkansas. However, the low number of deaths does not mean that risk should be taken lightly. The threat of rabies could be as close as your own backyard or home.

A four year old girl in Washington State died of rabies in 1995. Her family had found a bat in her bedroom a month before she became ill. Although there was no indication that the child had been bitten, the bat, which had been killed and buried, was exhumed and tested. The indentical strain of rabies was present in both the child and the bat.

The last confirmed case of rabies in Arkansas occured in 1991 with a Clark County man. About a month before his illness, a bat in his home reportedly landed on his face, possibly biting or scratching him.

The three U.S. cases of human rabies reported in the U.S Seventeen of these were bat-related, with only one bite being documented. This means that even limited contact with infected bats can pass on rabies.

In Arkansas, rabies is found primarily in skunks, raccoon, bat and fox. Skunks are the highest carriers of rabies in the state. Of the 29 cases of rabies in animals in Arkansas last year, 15 were in skunks. Rabies is most frequently reported in wild animals, however, it can and does affect farm animals and pets.

After being bitten there is usually an incubation period of three to eight weeks before symptoms of rabies occur. Treatment should be administered as soon as possible to prevent the virus from reaching the brain. The virus travels up the nerve system about one inch a day. There is no cure for rabies once the virus reaches the brain and an animal or person shows symptoms.

"Eachh year about 150 Arkansans, bitten by animals that are rabid or suspected of being rabid, receive post-exposure rabies injections that prevent them from developing the deadly disease,: says Dr. Tom McChesney, State Veterinarian of the Arkansas Department of Health.

The symptoms in animals include: changes in behavior, restlessness, viciousness, paralysis of the lower jaw and frothing at the mouth or excessive drooling.

If you see an animal showing any of these symptoms, stay away and contact your local animal control service or law enforcement agency.

Help avoid the risk by avoiding all contact with wild animals. make sure that your dog's or cat's vaccination is current. Arkansas law requires annual vaccinations for all dogs and cats three monthe of age or older. Once the vaccine date expires, the animal has no protection.

If you are bitten by an animal (whether you suspect it has rabies or not), you should:

• Scrub the wound with soap and water as soon as possible.

• See a doctor immediately after washing the bite.

• Report the bite immediately to your local animal control service, law enforcement authorities or health Department. It's required by law.

Because of the seriousness of this disease, it is important that you do everything you can to avoid the risk of rabies exposure.

For more information on rabies protection, call Dr. Tom McChesney at the Arkansas Department of Health, (501) 661-2957.