In 1981, there were 7,211 laboratory-confirmed cases of animal
rabies reported in the United States and its territories (Guam,
Puerto
Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands).
Forty-eight states and Puerto Rico reported rabid animals in
1981;
only the District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Vermont, and Virgin
Islands reported no cases.
Seven types of animals accounted for 97% of all reported cases:
skunks, 4,480 (62.1%); bats, 858 (11.9%); raccoons, 481 (6.7%);
cattle, 465 (6.4%); cats, 285 (4.0%); dogs, 216 (3.0%); and foxes,
195
(2.7%). Wild animals accounted for 85% of the reported cases, and
domestic animals 15%. Two cases of human rabies were reported in
1981
(1,2).
Bats and skunks continue to be the most widely distributed
vectors, with confirmed cases caused by these two species in 46
states
and 32 states, respectively. Raccoon rabies has become well
established and is spreading in areas of northern Virginia, West
Virginia, and Maryland (3). Virginia reported 102 cases of raccoon
rabies in 1981, an increase of 1,350% over 1980 when seven cases
were
reported. West Virginia reported 22 cases of raccoon rabies in
1981,
and Maryland reported six cases, all from a single county that
borders
on northern Virginia.
Reported by Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Br, Div of Viral
Diseases,
Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: Reports of documented animal rabies have more than
doubled in the United States in the last 3 years: 3,298 cases for
1978
and 7,211 cases for 1981. In 1981, for the first time, rabid cats
outnumbered rabid dogs--by 32%.
More cases of skunk rabies and bat rabies were reported in 1981
than ever before. This substantial upsurge in rabies activity
underscores the importance of efforts aimed at prevention and
control. Vaccination of pets and livestock is the most effective
control measure in preventing disease and subsequent human
exposure.
References
CDC. Human rabies--Oklahoma. MMWR 1981;30:343-4,349.
CDC. Human rabies acquired outside the United States from a
dog
bite. MMWR 1981;30:537-40.
CDC. Rabies in raccoons--Virginia. MMWR 1981;30:353-5.
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