Q. How is rabies transmitted?
A. Rabies is usually transmitted from the bite of an infected animal. Transmission is also possible by contamination with infectious saliva through a break in the skin. Occasionally, farmers and veterinarians are exposed while treating cattle and horses.

Q. Which animals are at greatest risk of getting rabies?
A. In Kansas, rabies is most common in wild animals. Skunks have the disease most frequently, but it also occurs in bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes. Dogs, cats and domestic livestock occasionally contract rabies from exposure to wild animals.

The peak of rabies activity in Kansas occurs in the spring. Thanks to diligent rabies control programs requiring vaccinations, rabies in domestic pets is relatively rare.  

Q. What is being done to control rabies?
A. Rabies in wildlife is difficult to control. Humans can be protected by having pets immunized; specifically, pets that could contract rabies from exposure to wild animals. It is required by law that dogs and cats be vaccinated annually. Dogs must be licensed every year.

• Vaccination and licensing of all dogs:
  The City of Wichita and unincorporated areas of Sedgwick County and almost all other cities in Sedgwick County require annual rabies vaccinations and licensing of all dogs by pet owners. In Wichita and Sedgwick County all cats must be vaccinated.

• Strict enforcement of the leash law:
  In Wichita and some other cities in Sedgwick County, all dogs must be confined by leash, rope, chain or within a fenced area or building sufficient to maintain the dog on the owner's property, but not necessarily confined.

• Stray dog pick-up:
  All citizens should report stray animals to their local control agency. In Wichita, call Animal Services at the Environmental Services Department, 268-8473. In other areas of Sedgwick County, call Sedgwick County Animal Care, 383-7070.

• Investigation of animal bites:
  All reported animal bites in Wichita are investigated by Environmental Services Department personnel to prevent human death from rabies transmitted by a rabid animal. All animal bites occurring in Wichita should be reported to Animal Services at the Environmental Services Department at 268-8378.

Q. Which animals are not likely to have rabies?
A. In Kansas, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs, opossums, mice and rats have not been known to be involved in the transmission of rabies. This is also true of caged household pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils. Ferrets are an exception to this general rule.

Q. What can a person do to avoid exposure to rabies?
A. Individuals need to be aware of domestic pets that show a change in behavior. Avoid close contact with wild or sick animals. If a normally shy, wild animal, such as a skunk, becomes aggressive or friendly, do not try to feed, pet or pick up the animal. Call Animal Services at 268-8378. Don't pet stray animals or try to feed animals by hand. Be cautious of petting other people's pets. Don't try to catch stray cats that may go into a house or garage through open doors. Wild animals should never be kept as pets. If a skunk is seen during daylight hours on personal property, notify Animal Services at 268-8378.

Q. What should one do in case of a bite?
A. If the bite was by a dog or cat, take careful notes of the animal's appearance so that it can be described and identified later. Try to obtain the correct name and address of the owner and look for a tag. If the animal is a stray, have someone stay alert to the animal's location.

If the bite was by a wild animal, observe where it is hiding, or carefully try to confine it without exposing anyone to the risk of another bite.

When bitten, immediately do the following:

• Wash wound very thoroughly with soap and running water.

• Notify Animal Services at Environmental Services, 268-8473. They will pick up the animal.

• Contact your physician. The wound will need to be examined, and treatment with anti-rabies vaccine may be necessary.

Q. What happens to biting animals?
A. Owned dogs and cats must be confined for a 10-day observation period according to Animal Services regulations. If confined at the owner's home, any sign of illness should be reported to Animal Services at 268-8378 immediately. If no signs of illness appear at the end of the 10 days, the anti-rabies treatment is not necessary.

Unowned dogs and cats that bite are held at the Wichita Animal Shelter for three days for possible identification and redemption by an owner. If not redeemed, they are humanely destroyed and examined for rabies. If lab results are positive, the anti-rabies treatment can be initiated.

Wild animals known to carry rabies should be confined or destroyed and picked up for testing by Animal Control. In order for the animal to be tested for rabies it is important not to damage the head of the animal. If bitten by a skunk or other wild animal known to carry rabies, and the animal cannot be located, treatment with anti-rabies serum and vaccine should be started immediately. Contact a physician that same day.

Q. What if a person is bitten by a wild animal not known to carry rabies?
A. A bite by one of the animals not found to be infected in nature would rarely, if ever, call for anti-rabies treatment in humans. However, it may be wise to see a doctor for a thorough wound cleaning and to receive a tetanus shot or antibiotics as indicated.  Feel free to contact us at 268-8378 if you have any concerns on this matter.

Q. Is rabies vaccine painful or dangerous?
A. Any shot hurts a little when given, but the new rabies vaccine is safe and rarely causes pain or reactions. The recommended anti-rabies treatment involves injecting rabies immune globulin around the wound and five injections of the new human diploid cell rabies vaccine. The five doses of vaccine are given over one month and are to be given in the arm, hip or other muscle.

The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Rabies Lab has more information about rabies.

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