Rabies
Rabies
Overview
Rabies is a devastating viral disease that can result in severe neurologic problems and death in both humans and animals. Rabies is most commonly transmitted through a bite by a rabid animal, but virus-laden saliva introduced to an open wound or mucous membrane can also result in transmission. Infected animals may shed the virus through saliva before visible signs of illness occur.
While rabies is highly uncommon in laboratory animals and the majority of cases occur in wildlife, any mammal can contact the disease. Rabies cases in wildlife and unvaccinated dogs has been shown to be on the rise in the United States per the 2018 surveillance report done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals working with unvaccinated dogs/cats and mammalian wildlife (bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, etc.) are at the highest risk of coming into contact with a rabies-positive animal.
Care should be taken to handle animals appropriately to avoid bites and scratches. All bites and scratches of any type from any species should be immediately cleaned and reported to one’s supervisor as required in the WSU Accident Reporting and Follow-up Policy of the WSU Safety Policies and Procedures Manual.
Information about Rabies:
Human Rabies Prevention – United States, 2022 Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Rabies Fact Site and Rabies Prevention
Rabies Vaccine Requirement:
There is a human vaccine that offers protection for persons working with species more likely to be infected with rabies (unvaccinated dogs/cats, carnivores and rabies-suspect mammalian wildlife). If you work with these species, it is recommended that you get vaccinated for rabies. This vaccination may be able to be provided to you free of charge if you are working with WSU-owned animals or under a WSU research project.
How to Get Vaccinated for Rabies
Individuals working with animals for research and/or teaching purposes that want to be vaccinated for rabies must register in the WSU Occupational Health Program for Animal Contact and accept participation in the Medical Evaluation component of the program (IACUC Policy #38). If your medical evaluation comes back with a recommendation for a rabies vaccination, please contact the Animal Welfare Program Office at iacuc@wsu.edu or (509)-335-7951 to assist in finding a clinic to obtain the vaccine. The cost of the vaccination can be covered by the OHT-A program when exposure is related to your research activity or work with WSU owned animals.
Individuals wanting to be vaccinated for rabies but choosing to DECLINE participation in the Medical Evaluation component of the WSU Occupational Health Program for Animal Contact should coordinate vaccination with their personal physician.