Texas Tops Large Animal Rabies Cases

DULUTH, GA. — Most U.S. states reported a large animal* rabies case from 2002 to 2006. However, there are eight states each with more than 41 reported cases of rabies in horses, cattle or sheep: Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Virginia, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and New York.^1-5

“Rabies is a potentially deadly disease that is preventable,” says Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, director, Veterinary Services, Merial. “These states have a higher number of rabies cases, which increase the chance of exposure, but it’s important to remember that exposure to just one rabid animal could be fatal. Not just for that animal, but also for the people who interact with it.”

Rabies can be transmitted from infected animals to humans through saliva. Wild animals primarily transmit the disease. Horses, cattle and sheep are all at risk for encountering infected wild animals — and contracting rabies — while in the barn or pasture. If infected, rabies is almost always fatal for both animals and humans.⁶

Signs of rabies can vary between species. For example, cattle exhibiting the “furious” form of rabies can attack people and other animals. Horses may show evidence of agitation that could be confused with colic. On the other hand, infected animals may exhibit minimal behavioral changes in the “dumb” or paralytic form.⁷

A single case of rabies during an event can put thousands at risk. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified more than 150,000 people who attended the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration of potential rabies exposure after a case was confirmed during the event.⁸

Similarly, about 80 feedyard cattle exposed to rabies in West Virginia were euthanized this year after being exposed to infected animals. Six people exposed to the herd were required to undergo costly post-exposure treatment as a precaution.⁹

“Rabies is a fundamental vaccine for all horses, whether competing or out on the pasture,” Dr. Hurtig says. “For a small investment in vaccination, you can help protect cattle, horses and everyone at the competition or on your farm.”

IMRAB^® Brand rabies vaccines are the choice of veterinarians worldwide with more than 400 million doses sold. IMRAB Large Animal can be used in horses, cattle and sheep at least 3 months of age. Revaccinate cattle and horses annually and sheep one year after the first vaccination, then every three years.¹⁰

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2007 sales were approximately $2.5 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see www.merial.com.

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*Horses, mules, cattle, sheep and goats.

¹Krebs JW, Wheeling JT, Childs JE. Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2002. JAVMA 2003;223(12):1738.
²Krebs JW, Mandel EJ, Swerdlow DL, Rupprecht CE. Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2003. JAVMA 2004;225(12):1840.
³Krebs JW, Mandel EJ, Swerdlow DL, Rupprecht CE. Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2004. JAVMA 2005;227(12):1915.
⁴Blanton JD, Krebs JW, Hanlon CA, Rupprecht CE. Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2005. JAVMA 2006;229(12):1900.
⁵Blanton JD, Hanlon CA, Rupprecht CE. Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2006. JAVMA 2007;231(4):543.
⁶Marteniuk J. Rabies in Horses. Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Available at: http://old.cvm.msu.edu/extension/equine/RabiesinHorses.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2008.
⁷Merck Veterinary Manual. Ninth Edition. 2005:1069.
⁸Centers for Disease Control. Horse stabled at Tennessee Walking Horse 2006 National Celebration tested positive for rabies. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/news/2006-09-09_horse.html. Accessed March 5, 2006.
⁹West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Rabies-infected herd destroyed by West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Available at: http://www.wvagriculture.org/news_releases/2008/4-3-08.html. Accessed April 8, 2008.
¹⁰IMRAB Large Animal product label.

®IMRAB is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2008 Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. LAGEBIM803 (04/08)

Source: Merial Press Release