New guidance for pets exposed to rabies

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2/29/2016 Additional data New guidance for pets exposed to rabies There are no national statistics on how many animals are quarantined or euthanized after rabies exposure, Dr. Brown said, and there are not a lot of data on incubation periods. According to the compendium: "To enhance the ability to make evidence -based recommendations from national surveillance data, additional data should be collected and reported on all rabid domestic animals. In this regard, essential data elements include age, sex, neuter status, ownership status, quarantine dates (if any), date of onset of any clinical signs, and complete vaccination history." Dr. Brown said the committee hopes that explicitly encouraging data collection and reporting will result in a better evidence base to improve the compendium in the future. Related JAVMA content: Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016 (March 1, 2016) Comparison of anamnestic responses to rabies vaccination in doers and cats with current and out -of -date vaccination status (Jan. 15, 2015) New website provides rabies information resource A new website, www.RabiesAware.ora, provides a national rabies information resource for the veterinary profession. Merial launched the website Jan. 18 at the 2016 North American Veterinary Community Conference in Orlando, Florida. Leading the site is Dr. Richard Ford, an emeritus professor at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "The application, interpretation and enforcement of rabies vaccination laws can vary significantly from state to state, and even county to county," Dr. Ford said in a written announcement about the launch. "Complex and sometimes conflicting rabies laws can lead to considerable confusion, misinterpretation of state and local statutes and inappropriate actions on the part of individual practitioners. The information found on RabiesAware.org will not only provide veterinarians and staff access to the most up -to -date information, but it will also ensure that they have the necessary tools to help educate pet owners on the importance of rabies vaccinations." The site provides information such as the following: • State - specific frequently asked questions. • Surveillance data. • Links to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. • A comprehensive list of available U.S.- approved rabies vaccines. • Contact information for state public health veterinarians. As of Jan. 18, RabiesAware.org contained information on 18 states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Dr. Ford said the site will be completed for all 50 states and Puerto Rico by summer. https: / /www.avma.orglnewsljavmanews /pages /160301a.aspx ?utm_ source = javma- news &utm_ medium= email &utm campaign= gen &PF =1 6/