Rabies virus infection in a pet guinea pig and seven pet rabbits.
Raccoon-variant rabies was confirmed in 7 pet rabbits and 1 pet guinea pig in New York State, and postexposure treatment was required in several adults and children. To prevent rabies virus infection, domestic rabbits and pet rodents should be protected from contact with wild animals, including double-cage housing when housed outside. Pet rabbits or rodents with any possible contact with a wild animal, particularly if the rabbit or rodent had wounds of unknown origin, should be quarantined for 6 months for observation, to prevent escape, and to avoid contact with humans, who will require treatment if the rabbit or rodent develops rabies. Bites and scratches to humans from rodents and lagomorphs should be evaluated for potential rabies exposure on an individual basis, with consideration of whether the animal was caged outside or permitted outdoors unsupervised.
Eidson
Millicent
M
Zoonoses Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Division of Epidemiology, Center for Community Health, New York State Department of Health, 621 Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
Matthews
Stacy D
SD
Willsey
Amy L
AL
Cherry
Bryan
B
Rudd
Robert J
RJ
Trimarchi
Charles V
CV
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000821:virology; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology*; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000821:virology; D011817:Rabbits; D011818:Rabies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011821:Raccoons / Q000821:virology; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D014481:United States; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission