There is no cure for rabies in man or animal, yet all mammals are susceptible. Since mid-June 2007, there have been reported cases of animal rabies in a number of states. To draw attention to the world-wide problem of rabies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced World Rabies Day will be Sept. 8, 2007, to draw attention to this deadly disease.

In a brief glance for news on reported rabies cases this year, states that have reported cases in some type of domestic or wild animal include Montana, Texas, New Hampshire, Rhode Island (horse; see https://thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9481&nID=6&n=Rabies&case=2), North Dakota, North Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, Vermont, West Virginia, Washingon state, and Pennsylvania.

According to information from the CDC Web site (https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/), “Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.

“Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. Early symptoms of rabies in humans are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache, and general malaise. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms