title: Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of deer owners following identification of a cluster of captive deer with rabies in Pennsylvania in July 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of deer owners following identification of a cluster of captive deer with rabies as an aid for the development of rabies prevention educational materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Captive-deer owners who were members of the pennsylvania deer farmers association.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information was obtained via a mailed, self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire response rate was 59% (249/425). One hundred three of 206 (50%) respondents had incomplete knowledge of rabies virus vectors, transmission, severity, and prevention measures. Birds or snakes were incorrectly identified as rabies vectors by 96 of 213 (45%) respondents, and most (≥ 94%) respondents identified rabies virus reservoirs as vectors. Ninety of 231 (39%) respondents identified death as an outcome of rabies, and 184 of 235 (78%) respondents would seek emergency treatment if they suspected exposure. Only 62 of 235 (26%) respondents would wash a wound immediately. The majority of respondents (173/239 [72%]) did not know the clinical signs of rabies in deer. Nine respondents indicated that they vaccinated their deer against rabies, and the majority of respondents (158/214 [74%]) would be willing to vaccinate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggested that deer owners in Pennsylvania have a basic knowledge of rabies; however, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prevention of rabies transmission could be improved considerably. Rabies educational materials for deer owners should focus on postexposure procedures, disease severity, recognition of rabies in deer, and changes in management practices such as vaccination to prevent rabies.
authors.affiliation: Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. dot7@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Jesse D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Blanton
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.forename: Allison H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Longenberger
authors.forename: Brett W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003670:Deer; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires