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Vaccinations Key
to Controlling
Rabies Exposure
Animal control and vaccination
programs have cut the number
of reported human rabies to as
few as five a year in the United
States, according to a
recent report in Veterinary
Practice News.
But despite the control
of the virus in humans and
domestic animals, authorities
continue to battle the virus
in wild populations, the News
reports. And the virus can still
have devastating effects in
rural areas were vaccinations
aren’t routine. Last spring,
32 dogs, at least one cat and
a number of livestock were
euthanized near Carlsbad after
they were exposed to rabies.
Dr. Paul Ettestad, the New
Mexico Department of Health’s
public health veterinarian
called it one of the most
concentrated outbreaks of
rabies that has been seen
in New Mexico in decades.
The deaths could have been
prevented through proper
vaccination, he noted, which is
already required by state law.
Human deaths from rabies
in the past century in the U.S.
have declined from 100 or
more each year to an average
of two or three, according to
federal statistics. But the virus
continues to plague some
parts of the world, with 30,000-
50,000 people dying from the
infection each year.
A Shot in the Right Spot
New Mexico public officials, veterinarians mark World Rabies Day
with free vaccinations at Santa Fe Animal Shelter
State health officials and prominent veterinarians
took part in a free rabies vaccination clinic in
September at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter in
recognition of World Rabies Day.
Dr. Ray Powell, state Land Commissioner,
Dr. Catherine Torres, then-cabinet secretary for the state
Department of Health, Dr. Paul Ettestad, state Public
Health Veterinarian, and Dr. Murt Byrne, president of
the New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association and
owner of Eldorado Animal Clinic attended the event,
helping vaccinate dozens of dogs and cats for free.
The World Health Organization estimates that
more than 55,000 people die of rabies in the world each year, mainly in Asia and Africa.
However, problems with rabies continue to persist in the nation. In 2012, six people and
several hundred dogs and cats died of rabies in the U.S. New Mexico has been hard hit
with rabies, especial in rural southern counties, were several unvaccinated pets had to be
euthanized because they were exposed to rabies in the wildlife population.
Events like World Rabies Day help to underscore the importance of rabies
vaccinations, state health officials said. “Unvaccinated pets or pets not up-to-date on
their rabies vaccination can be exposed to a rabid wild animal and put your family
members at unnecessary risk and exposure to a very dangerous and fatal disease,
Catherine Torres said at the event.
Murt Byrne said his statewide association encouraged veterinarians around the state
to give talks on rabies and pet health at local schools and to hold rabies vaccination
clinics during the week of
World Rabies Day. The
clinics offer a chance for
veterinarians not only to safeguard
the animal from the
deadly disease, but ensure
the over-all health of the
family pet.
Murt said he hopes to
expand the clinic next fall,
working with the Shelter to
vaccinate as many companion
animals as possible.
“Protecting our animals
from this deadly disease is
simple and inexpensive,”
said state Land Commissioner
Powell, who has a doctorate
in veterinary medicine.
“In addition, it protects
our families from contracting
rabies.”
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