Postexposure rabies prophylaxis protocol for domestic animals and epidemiologic characteristics of rabies vaccination failures in Texas: 1995-1999.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether postexposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) in domestic animals, as mandated by the state of Texas, has continued to be effective and to evaluate PEP and preexposure rabies vaccination failures from 1995 through 1999.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
830 unvaccinated domestic animals (621 dogs, 78 horses, 71 cats, and 60 cattle) that received PEP and 4 animals (3 dogs and 1 horse) that had preexposure rabies vaccination failure.


METHODS
Zoonotic incident case reports from 1995 through 1999 were reviewed for information regarding unvaccinated domestic animals that received PEP according to state protocol after exposure to a rabid animal; reports were also reviewed for information regarding preexposure rabies vaccination failures. The PEP recommendations were to immediately vaccinate the animal against rabies, isolate the animal for 90 days, and administer booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period. Rabies vaccines used in the PEP protocol were administered via the route prescribed by the USDA.


RESULTS
From 1995 through 1999, 830 animals received PEP; 4 failures were recorded. Additionally, 4 preexposure rabies vaccination failures were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate that an effective PEP protocol for unvaccinated domestic animals exposed to rabies includes immediate vaccination against rabies, a strict isolation period of 90 days, and administration of booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period. This PEP schedule has proven to be effective for control of rabies in domestic animals.
Texas Department of Health, Zoonosis Control Division, Austin 78756, USA.
P J
PJ
Wilson
K A
KA
Clark
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004285:Dogs; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006736:Horses; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000662:veterinary; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000821:virology
D011819:Rabies Vaccines