Public health impact of reemergence of rabies, New York.
This report summarizes the spread of a raccoon rabies epizootic into New York in the 1990s, the species of animals affected, and human postexposure treatments (PET). A total of 57,008 specimens were submitted to the state laboratory from 1993 to 1998; 8,858 (16%) animals were confirmed rabid, with raccoons the most common species (75%). After exposure to 11,769 animals, 18,238 (45%) persons received PET, mostly because of contact with saliva or nervous tissue. We analyzed expenditure reports to estimate the cost of rabies prevention activities. An estimated $13.9 million was spent in New York State to prevent rabies from 1993 to 1998. Traditional prevention methods such as vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife, and verifying an animal's rabies status must be continued to reduce costly PET. To reduce rabid animals, exposures, and costs, oral vaccination of wildlife should also be considered.
Chang
Hwa-Gan H
HG
New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York 12237, USA. hgc04@health.state.ny.us
Eidson
Millicent
M
Noonan-Toly
Candace
C
Trimarchi
Charles V
CV
Rudd
Robert
R
Wallace
Barbara J
BJ
Smith
Perry F
PF
Morse
Dale L
DL
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006801:Humans; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D011818:Rabies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology; D011821:Raccoons / Q000821:virology
D011819:Rabies Vaccines