Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Cat Rabies Exposures in Iowa
-- 1981
In 1981, the number of confirmed cases of animal rabies in Iowa
rose to 889--a 68% increase over the 1980 figure of 529 cases.
Although skunks remain the most important endemic reservoir, a
significant increase in the number of cases of rabies among dogs
(49
in 1981 vs 22 in 1980) and cats (83 in 1981 vs 44 in 1980) was also
observed. The Iowa State Department of Health was consulted on 661
animal-contact incidents, as a result of which 452 persons received
postexposure therapy (Table 1). Of the treated group, 57 persons
received penetrating bites from known rabid animals. Forty-two
(74%)
of these bite-associated exposures involved cats. This species was
the most common source of human exposure to rabies in Iowa in 1981,
as
it was in the period 1977-1980 (Table 2). No cases of human
rabies
occurred in Iowa in 1981.
Although intraspecies transmission of rabies in cats cannot be
ruled out, it is presumed that most cases resulted from exposure to
rabid skunks. Investigation of 64 rabid cats in Iowa in 1981
revealed
that none had a history of rabies vaccination (only dogs are
required
by the Iowa State Code to be vaccinated). Investigation of 35
rabid
dogs, on the other hand, revealed that the vaccination status of 1
was
current and 3 had expired vaccinations.
The cost of this increased incidence of cat rabies is difficult
to
ascertain. A total of 6,234 doses of human diploid cell vaccine
were
shipped to Iowa in 1981. This suggests that the total number of
human
treatments was approximately 900(plus or minus100). If the cost of
1
treatment is estimated at $350 for biologics plus $50 for
administration, the total cost for prophylaxis alone ($400 times a
minimum of 800 persons treated) would be $320,000. Costs of
laboratory services, lost work days, transportation, livestock
mortality, and veterinary fees would markedly increase this
estimate.
Reported by V Seaton, DVM, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Iowa
State University, Ames, WH Hausler, PhD, University Hygienic
Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City, RW Currier, DVM, LA
Wintermeyer, MD, State Epidemiologist, Iowa State Dept of Health;
Viral Diseases Div, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: This report reflects the national experience with
rabies in recent years. Reports of documented rabies in animals
have
doubled in the United States in the last 3 years: 3,298 for 1978
and
over 7,000 for 1981. In 1981, for the first time, the number of
rabid
cats outnumbered the number of rabid dogs, by approximately 20%.
Control of rabies among wild animals is not technically or fiscally
practical at this time. Immunization of pets represents the single
most important control measure because it is effective in
preventing
disease and subsequent human exposures. The absence of human rabies
in
Iowa potentially underscores the efficacy of postexposure therapy
using the combination of human rabies immune globulin and human
diploid cell strain rabies vaccine.
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