Rabies Guide 2010.pdf - the South African Veterinary Council

Rabies contact animals
Contact animals are animals that have been, or are
suspected to have been, bitten or scratched by a rabid
animal, or received saliva, brain or other infectious
material from a rabid animal into a wound, the
mouth or eyes. This includes the unweaned offspring
of infected animals.
and/or destroyed by an authorised person subject
to conditions determined by the state veterinarian.
Unvaccinated contact livestock including cattle, sheep,
goats and horses may, in exceptional cases and subject
to written permission and conditions determined
by the state veterinarian, be immunised and held in
isolation and close observation for six months.
The management of contact domestic animals
exposed to rabies can be complicated by the lack
of an immediate perceived threat to human life. As
human exposure is likely should a domestic animal
develop rabies, the recommendation is normally to
cull the exposed animal.
Management of these
cases is difficult because
of emotional attachment
to the animal, the value
of the animal, difficulties
in determining vaccination
status and the democratic
rights of individuals.
It is imperative that
contact animals be traced, identified, safely confined
and reported to the state veterinarian without delay.
Failure to report such cases may subsequently result
in the spread of the disease to humans or other
animals. The state veterinarian will determine which
contact animals pose a risk and what control measures
are necessary to prevent any further spread of the
disease.
Where rabies is confirmed in wild carnivores,
mongooses, dogs and cats, all dogs and cats that
were in close contact with the infected animal, for
example those of the same household, must be
euthanised under the supervision of a veterinary
officer or authorised person, if they do not have a
valid vaccination certificate.
Livestock known to have been bitten should be
slaughtered immediately. 153 Equines must be isolated
It is imperative that contact
animals be traced, identified,
confined safely and reported
to the state veterinarian
without delay
Tissue and milk from a rabid animal should not be
used for human or animal consumption. Meat that
has been cooked and milk that has been pasteurised or
refrigerated should not pose a danger. People drinking
raw milk and butchering a carcass should, however,
be regarded as a category 2 contact and should be
vaccinated.
After taking samples from
an animal with rabies or
suspected of having rabies,
carcasses must be burnt or
buried.
A test to determine rabies
antibody titre in previously
vaccinated cats and dogs after an exposure to rabies
occurred is available at OVI. This test can determine
whether efficient antibody titres were obtained after
vaccination that will protect against rabies virus
infection. However this test cannot indicate whether
the animal is incubating the virus.
Vaccinated dogs and cats with neutralising antibody
titres exceeding of 0,5 IU/ml can be considered
to have responded to vaccination, although the
presence of neutralising antibodies does not guarantee
protection against challenge. This result may assist
in managing contact animals. It is essential that a
full history is obtained and that blood samples are
taken before booster vaccination (within 1–2 days
post-exposure). Furthermore, the date(s) and type of
contact, for example bite, scratch, and information
on blood sampling and rabies vaccination(s) must be
submitted with the serum samples.
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