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CDC Warns of Summer Spike in Rabies Exposures
Developing
In Short: The CDC has issued a health advisory urging doctors to watch for possible rabies exposures, as wildlife cases rise and human exposures increase.
The CDC has issued a new health advisory urging doctors to be vigilant for possible rabies exposures and to administer necessary vaccines and treatments promptly. Rabies, a rare but potentially fatal viral disease, must be treated before symptoms appear.
The warning comes after North Carolina officials announced that three baby goats at a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies, potentially exposing hundreds of people. The state health department has launched a search to track down those who came into contact with the goats, recommending rabies shots for over 260 people.
The CDC reported a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries from July through August compared to the same period last year, and noted increased use of rabies shots and errors in their administration. The agency emphasized the importance of performing careful risk assessments and following evidence-based recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis.
The CDC advised pet owners to keep their pets up to date on rabies vaccines and to keep them away from wildlife. The agency's warning follows several high-profile rabies outbreaks and mass exposure events that have highlighted the need for careful risk assessments and proper treatment.
What's still developing
- That post-exposure treatment typically includes a dose of an antibody medication that prevents infection, called human rabies immune globulin, and at least four doses of a rabies vaccine.
- Rebecca Lanning, whose family visited a dinosaur exhibit in Mocksville, North Carolina, on Aug. 15, previously told NBC News that she had been shocked to learn that her 4-year-old had been exposed to rabies.
- A spike in rabies cases among animals this summer has led to a rise in human exposures across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Thursday.
Sources
- NBC News link