Events and meetingsDate | Event | More information | | 25-28 August, 2008 | South East Africa Rabies Group (SEARG) meeting, Gabarone, Botswana | | | September 28, 2008 | World Rabies Day
An effort to increase rabies awareness | www.worldrabiesday.org
Contact form for more
information | 28th Sept - 3rd Oct 2008
| 19th International Conference on Rabies in the Americas (RITA)
At the CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| website |
top Rabies cases in the news9 August 2008
Alaska, USA
Reports of animal rabies, mostly infecting foxes, continued to increase, from an average of 8 cases a year from 2003-2005 to 18 cases in 2006 to 45 cases in 2007. All but one of the rabies cases last year [2007] occurred in coastal regions of northern and southwestern Alaska. Infected animals included 24 red foxes, 17 arctic wolves, 3 dogs and one wolf. Rabies cases involving Alaska wildlife generally cycle up and down, depending on the rise and fall of wildlife populations, the report noted. The disease is always present in northern and western Alaska.
Most of the rest of Alaska has never had a confirmed case of rabies.
31 July 2008
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Rabies in dogs has been reported from two districts in the Eastern Cape, 2 cases from Ugie in the Ukhahlamba district and 2 from Cumakala in the Chris Hani district. Vaccination and awareness campaigns are being organised, and human exposures will be followed up. 31 July 2008
Georgia, USA
A puppy originating from the Cherry Log area has tested positive for rabies after it was given to a Murray County resident. 27 July 2008
Colorado, USA
6 Larimer County, Colorado, residents are being treated for rabies, and 5 bats in the county have been confirmed to have the disease, according to the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. Two dogs and a cat have also been quarantined in Fort Collins after possible exposure to rabid bats.
23 July 2008
Jujuy, Northern Argentina
An 8-year-old boy died in northern Argentina after having contracted rabies from a dog bite. Jujuy province has experienced a rabies outbreak for the past two years, in spite of an intensive mass vaccination of dogs, the outbreak has not been controlled yet. 18 July 2008
Eastern Cape, South Africa
A 15 year old girl died in the Mount Ayliff area in the Eastern Cape of suspected rabies. The girl had previously been bitten by a dog which has also since died. 26 June 2008
New Jersey, USA ex Iraq
One of the 26 dogs and cats flown out of Iraq to rejoin soldiers in the USA has tested positive for rabies. The rabies was diagnosed after the dog was euthanized for other health reasons. The animals arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport 3 weeks ago. SPCA officials say the organization complied with all customs and health regulations, and that all 26 animals were cleared to enter the USA. Health officials are recommending revaccination of the remaining dogs and cats. In addition, people who may have had close contact with the affected dog should discuss possible treatment with their doctor. The state Health Department is monitoring the situation.
15 May 2008
USA, South Carolina
24 people are now being treated prophylactically against rabies after being in contact with the baby raccoon that tested positive for rabies. 17 pets belonging to those people are also in quarantine. 12 May 2008
USA, South Carolina
16 people are being treated prophylactically against rabies after a baby raccoon tested positive for the disease. The baby raccoon was found in the woods and was being cared for by several people over the past weeks. This is the first confirmed rabid animal in Beaufort County in 2008. In 2007 no rabid animals were confirmed in the county. There were 162 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina. So far this year, there have been 45 confirmed cases in animals in the state.
4 May 2008
Argentina, Beunos Aires
The Ministry of Health of Buenos Aires, Argentina, have reported a case of rabies in a cat, from the Caballito district. This is the 1st case in a terrestrial animal detected in the city in 27 years. It is reported that the cat was playing with a bat on 15 March 2008. It became sick 2 weeks later, and died on 8 April 2008. The cat tested positive for rabies. While ill the cat bit 4 people who have received post exposure prophylaxis. Apparently the cat was not vaccinated, as most people don't think rabies is a danger for cats. Sanitary authorities have implemented a wide pet vaccination campaign. 30 April 2008
Belgium, ex Gambia
A female puppy, illegally brought into Belgium from Gambia, has died and tested positive for rabies. The dog first showed symptoms on 16 April and died on 21 April. A risk assessment was carried out and all people and animals in contact with the dog from 1 April have received appropriate treatment. 26 April 2008
England, in quarantine
A puppy, brought into an England from Sri Lanka by a charity organisation, tested positive for rabies while in quarantine. The puppies behaviour changed and it nipped 3 workers. The pup died two days later and tested positive to rabies. The affected people have received post exposure prophylaxis. As the puppy died in quaratine any public health risk has been contained. 19 April 2008
Argentina, Cordoba
A puppy has tested positive for rabies. 7 people who had contact with the puppy are receiving post exposure prophylaxis.An extensive dog and cat vaccination campaign in the community where the animal lived is being carried out. 9 April 2008
USA, Texas
Williamson County Health District has issued a warning to parents. A bat found Monday [7 Apr 2008] at the Twin Lakes YMCA daycare playground has tested positive for rabies. At least 2 children came into contact with the bat. It is suspected that more children were exposed. USA, New York
A man from Lake George is being given post exposure prophylaxis after being bitten by a rabid gray fox. The fox attacked the man and tried to get into his home as the man entered his back door. The fox was later killed and tested positive for rabies. USA, Arkansas
A dog belonging to a family in Polk County has tested positive for rabies. The dog became ill and progressively more aggressive, it was euthanased and tested for rabies. The dog was not vaccinated against rabies. It killed a skunk a few weeks previously, this is believed to be the source of the disease. All people that were in contact with the dog are urged to receive post exposure prophylaxis. USA, Arizona
Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing an advisory for animal rabies. A bobcat caught and killed at a campground has tested positive for the disease. The bobcat attacked and exposed at least 2 individuals at the campsite. Both individuals are currently receiving a series of shots to prevent contracting the rabies virus. USA, Georgia
A man in Whitfield County was attacked and bitten by a rabid fox. Whitfield County wasn't included last fall [2007] when vaccine-laden baits were put out in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia to battle the spread of rabies in wild animals. 9 April 2008
South Africa, Eastern Cape
Following the confirmed outbreak of dog rabies in East London (Nahoon and Bonza Bay) the state veterinary services will be conducting a rabies campaign in the area. Owners of all pets are requested to bring their animals to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccination will be free of charge. 1 April 2008
USA, West Virginia
A Hampshire County cattle farm has been quarantined after two cows tested positive for rabies. A total of 6 people are undergoing rabies treatments as a precaution, although none showed any signs of the disease. 3 animals recently died on the farm but the 1st one was not tested for rabies.None of the 85 animals left in the herd will be allowed off the farm until the risk can be adequately assessed. 25 March 2008
USA, California ex Mexico
A 16 year old boy has died of rabies after being admitted to a Californian hospital. It is believed that the boy contracted the disease in Mexico, as he had not been in the United States long enough to have had the disease take its course. The source of infection is unknown but it is thought that boy was probably bitten by a rabid dog. The boys 8 housemates have been contacted and are being treated prophylactically against rabies. Officials are still on the lookout for the boy's traveling companion, who is believed to be in either Santa Barbara or Ventura counties.
25 March 2008
USA, Texas
The 20th case of rabies in Fannin County, Texas, since August 2007 has been confirmed. A dead skunk found near a campground has tested positive for the virus. Two campers had been in contact with the skunk, the skunk bit the shoe of one camper, post exposure prophylaxis has been advised. The countywide total of confirmed rabid wild animals in Fannin County since last August now includes 16 raccoons, two foxes, a skunk and a bat.
24 March 2008
USA, New Mexico
State officials have warned of a possible rabies outbreak amongst the fox population in Grant County New Mexico after 2 incidents: - 17 March - a sick looking fox hissed at a dog that was out walking with its owner. The fox was caught and killed and tested positive for rabies
- 18 March - a woman out walking was attacked and bitten by a fox. The fox ran away and has not been captured but the woman is receiving post exposure prophylaxis
March 2008
Publication on the Eurosurveillance website
Identification of a rabid dog in France illegally introduced from Morocco, Euro Surveillance 2008;13(11). 10 March 2008
USA, Arizona
A rabid mountain lion attacked a 10 year old boy north of Phoenix on 8 Mar 2008. The lion was then shot and killed. The boy and several others who may have been exposed to the cat will undergo preventative rabies treatment over the next few weeks. 7 March 2008
USA, Tennessee, West-Virginia
Officials with the Sullivan County Regional Health Department are asking all pet owners to make sure their pets are current on rabies vaccinations after a raccoon recovered in the Bluff City area tested positive for rabies. France
Following the diagnosis of rabies in a dog on the outskirts of Paris in February, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is advising that any person who had significant exposure to dogs in these 3 regions of France (see below) in recent weeks should seek prompt medical assessment to determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required. - Gers (Auch city and surroundings), from 1 Nov 2007
- Grandpuits, Seine-et-Marne (approx 30 miles SE of Paris) from 15 Dec 2007
- Calvados (Lisieux city and Thury Harcourt village and their surroundings), from 15 Dec 2007.
25 February 2008
Russia, Ukraine - Republic of Alta
Laboratory tests have confirmed that several cattle that died in 2 separate villages have died of rabies. - Chelyabinsk region
Rabies is suspected in a 45 year old woman that died after being bitten by a fox. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. - Chelyabinsk Oblast
Rabies statistics are increasing in the region. In 2007 there were 142 laboratory confirmed cases reported in 101 settlements. Rabies is spreading in foxes, but dogs, cats, and farm animals are also involved. A total of 16 000 people suffered animal bites during the past year, and 3000 of them received vaccination against rabies. 300 to 500 people had to be admitted to hospitals for medical care.
Officials have declared that the most radical and effective way of prevention is the culling of wild carnivores in their natural habitats and the rounding up and destruction of stray dogs and cats. Domestic and farm animals are also to be vaccinated and revaccinated by the Oblast veterinary service. - Donetsk Oblast
A 10 year old girl who was admitted at the beginning of February 2008 to a hospital in Ugledar in the Donetsk Oblast with a diagnosis of rabies died on 11 Feb 2008. The cat from which she is believed to have contracted the infection was a stray and has not been located.
14 February 2008
Indonesia, Flores
2 people have died of rabies after being bitten by dogs. Rabies was introduced onto this small Indonesia island in 1998. Culling of dogs was previously implemented but has not been effective in eradicating the disease. 2 February 2008
Brazil, Ceara
A 14 year old boy died of rabies. The boy had previously been bitten by a tamarin monkey. www.promed.org top | 
