Rabies - How Does it Affect You?

Rabies is a viral infection found in animals, and is most commonly transmitted by a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Most notable of the end-stage symptoms in humans are difficulty in swallowing, excessive thirst, hypersalivation (or "drooling"), and a panicked reaction to any offer of fluids gained this deadly disease the name "hydrophobia" in the early 1900's. Death invariably followed shortly after these symptoms appeared. At that time, there were more than 100 cases reported yearly of humans bitten by infected animals, most of which were domesticated. These animals would most likely have come into contact with an infected wild animal, and passed it on to their owners through daily contact. At that time, of course, there was no such thing as a vaccine. Even in the early days after the rabies vaccine was developed, as with any new "invention," there was a good bit of suspicion and resistance on the part of farmers and ranchers.

By the late 1990's, however, the rate of humans infected with rabies had dropped to a mere handful per year, and of those who were treated rapidly, none developed rabies. Due mainly to persistent efforts of veterinarians nationwide, and eventual state laws requiring vaccination, the number of domestic animals infecting humans has dropped as well. Roughly 90% of today's cases of humans infected or exposed to rabies are caused by wild animals.

Although human deaths from rabies are now rare, public health costs associated with detection, prevention, and control of this disease have risen dramatically, to the tune of well over $300 million a year. This includes the cost of pet and livestock vaccinations, animal control programs, rabies laboratories, and medical costs incurred for post-exposure treatment in humans. On average, a four-week course of treatment typically exceeds $1000. There is no cure for animals infected with rabies.