What to Do: Suspected Rabies

  1. You just got bitten or scratched by an animal (mammal).
    1. OR you MIGHT have been bitten/scratched during an interaction with a wild animal OR woke up to find one in the place you were sleeping.
    2. The highest-risk animals to have been in contact with include:
      1. Bats
      2. Racoons
      3. Skunks
      4. Foxes
  1. Take these actions immediately after contact with wild or unfamiliar animals, especially if you’ve been bitten or scratched.
    1. Wash any wounds immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes to flush out any virus.
    2. If bit by a wild or stray animal, contact animal control immediately.
    3. If the animal that bit you is a pet, ask the owner if the animal is up to date on their rabies vaccination. Get the owner's contact info so you can stay in touch.
    4. Get a veterinarian or animal control involved.* You should also contact Clay County Public Health at 816-476-4120 to report an animal bite and/or receive guidance.
  1. Talk to a healthcare provider right away– primary care doctor, urgent care, emergency room, etc.
    1. The provider will need to know what type of animal you encountered, if you saw any signs of the animal not acting normally, and if they believe you need rabies-related care.
    2. Rabies treatment can be very complex and expensive, which is why a healthcare provider or public health professional should determine whether it is needed.
    3. The animal involved can be tested for rabies, helping the decision-making. However, testing may not always be possible. *See Testing below.
  1. IF NEEDED: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
    1. PEP includes wound care, a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of four or five rabies vaccines.
    2. PEP should happen as soon as possible after exposure, to prevent the disease from developing. It is nearly 100% effective if administered in time.


*Rabies Testing & Investigation

Animals can be tested for rabies if the disease is suspected after they’ve been in contact with a human. However, testing requires that the animal be euthanized (killed) because sections of the brain must be examined to determine if rabies virus is present.

  • DO NOT intentionally kill an animal.
  • DO NOT drop off dead or live animals at the health department. The only exception is dead bats, which CCPHC can accept. 

If the animal can be safely and legally captured, bring the animal to a veterinarian. The veterinarian will euthanize the animal, remove its head, place it in a special container, and work with the health department to have it sent off for testing at the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) in Jefferson City. There is no charge for shipping containers, courier service, or testing.

Rabies test results are normally available within one day after the specimen arrives at the laboratory. By this point, Clay County Public Health Center’s epidemiology team will have been in contact with you to learn more about the situation and assist in any testing or treatment needs. Your CCPHC contact will also be the one to call and report the results of any rabies test to you.

If the animal cannot be located, safely captured, or is the pet of another person, healthcare providers and public health professionals will determine if rabies treatment is needed based on other available information.

Rabies Flowchart

 Clay County-Area Animal Control Contacts


What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that can be deadly if medical treatment does not begin before symptoms appear. It spreads to people and pets through the bites, scratches, and saliva of an infected animal. Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system and can lead to symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, hydrophobia (fear or water), confusion, agitation, and seizures.

Rabies is rare in the United States and causes fewer than 10 deaths each year. However, approximately 60,000 Americans each year receive treatment after an exposure. Worldwide, rabies is still a major problem, with 70,000 people dying of rabies yearly, largely due to rabid dogs and limited public health resources.

 

Rabies Vaccines

Rabies vaccines are expensive and limited. Anyone who may have been exposed to rabies should be assessed quickly to determine if they need the vaccine. People who need the vaccine and don't get it before symptoms start will most likely die, so it’s important that this process is quick yet thorough.

PRE-exposure vaccination is available for rabies, however, only certain people with high-risk behaviors need to consider getting vaccinated. This would include people who travel (especially to Asia, Africa, and Central/South America), people who frequently camp or hunt, or anyone that has a job with animals. Clay County Public Health Center does not currently offer the rabies vaccine, however, resources can be found on our Travel Immunizations page.

 

Rabies Prevention

Avoid rabies by keeping distance from wildlife, keeping pets up to date on vaccines, and regularly inspecting your home for possible points of entry. Learn more about rabies prevention.

 

Learn More