How to Prevent Rabies

A member of the Lyssavirus genus causes rabies, which is highly infectious and virtually always fatal without treatment. Rabies is found virtually everywhere in the world except the Antarctic and Australia, with almost all of the cases in the United States being transmitted by bats. The virus replicates in the muscles near the wound site and eventually infects the nervous system. Here's how to treat rabies.

Instructions

• 1

  Keep your pet vaccinations up-to-date and limit the offspring from pets to reduce the stray population. Domestic dog vaccinations have virtually eliminated canine rabies in the United States.

• 2

  Implement rabies drop programs as Massachusetts, Texas and some European countries have done to limit the spread of terrestrial rabies. Oral vaccines are added to food pellets that are placed in the wild. Serologic testing is performed periodically to test antibody responses.

• 3

  Teach children safety at an early age about procedures regarding animals. Many communities sponsor such programs through camps, public libraries and schools. Information is frequently available on the local health department's website.

• 4

  Report sick or strangely behaving animals to local authorities. Dead animals should always be handled with heavy gloves. Keep pets indoors at night and fenced or leashed when outdoors. Also, keep food and water dishes indoors.

• 5

  Remove bat colonies when they are near human habitation. Keep trash containers tightly sealed and maintain compost piles away from residences.