GLOBAL RABIES PREVENTION INITIATIVE STARTS LOCALLY

Global Rabies Prevention Initiative Starts Locally

[Harford County, Maryland, August 11, 2008] – In Harford County a global grassroots campaign is taking shape.  This year, the Health Department is collaborating with international rabies experts and 4 Paws Spa Inc., a local business in Forest Hill, to bring attention to World Rabies Day on September 28, 2008. 

In recognition of this event, the Harford County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health, will offer a low cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic at 4 Paws Spa in Forest Hill.  Veterinarians at the Health Department-s--sponsored clinic will vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets for the very low price of $5.00 per animal.  The clinic will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2008, from 1:00p.m. until 4:00p.m.  The 4 Paws Spa is located in the Forest Hill Industrial Airpark at 121A Industry Lane.  Upon entering the airpark, signs will direct you to the clinic.  Dog, cat, and ferret owners who wish to protect their pets from this dreaded disease are invited to participate.  Educational information will be available, as well as special rates on “wash and dry” self-service for pet owners through 4 Paws Spa, Inc.

“We saw this as an opportunity to highlight the rabies prevention and control efforts in our community, while teaming up with a local business and people from around the world to work towards a common goal,” says Susan Kelly, Acting Health Officer.

“We are excited to partner with the Health Department to bring this low cost vaccination clinic to the public.  The pet industry, veterinarians, and government agencies all agree that rabies prevention starts with the animal owner,” advises Jane Sweetman, owner of 4 Paws Spa, Inc. 

Founded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alliance for Rabies Control, a UK charity, the World Rabies Day initiative aims to bring together relevant partners in an effort to address rabies prevention and control.  “This is a coordinated effort to let the world know that this disease can be readily prevented through education, pet vaccination and increased human awareness as to proper wound management and administration of rabies vaccination after an exposure has occurred”, says Dr. Deborah Briggs, Executive Director for the Alliance for Rabies Control.

“We cannot let our guard down with rabies,” warns Susan Kelly, Acting Health Officer.  “Rabies is ever-present in wildlife which can expose our pets and possibly our family members.”  Between January 1^st and July 31^st of this year, the Health Department has identified 15 rabies positive animals (10 raccoons, 2 foxes, 2 bats, 1 cat).

It is estimated that every year 30,000-40,000 US residents are potentially exposed to rabies, requiring costly and uncomfortable human rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. As of June 30, 2008, thirty-four (34) Harford County residents have received rabies post exposure treatment as a result of potential exposure to the virus.  Post exposure treatment requires administration of Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) and five vaccinations over the course of a month, costs of which might not be covered by health insurance.

Statistics demonstrating the impact of rabies on public health include:

·         55,000 worldwide deaths annually (approximately one person every ten minutes) 

·         7,000 cases of animal rabies in the U.S. in 2007.  These animals, mostly wildlife, can expose humans or pets to rabies.

·         1-3 cases of human rabies in the U.S. per year.  CDC confirmed one case in 2007.

·         The last reported case of human rabies in Maryland was in 1976 as the result of an exposure to an infected bat.

Additional information is available online at www.harfordcountyhealth.com/rabies , http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Epidemiology/Epidemiology.htm#Wild%20Animals and www.worldrabiesday.org . You may also contact David Reiher, Harford County Health Department, Rabies and Vector Control Program at 443-643-0315.

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