occupatonal health & safety/wsu animal contact program

Rabies

Individuals exposed to unvaccinated dogs/cats, carnivores, rabies-suspect species:

Rabies is a devastating viral disease which can result in severe neurologic problems and death. Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals although any mammal can contract the disease. The disease is virtually unheard of in common laboratory animals.  All bites and scratches of any type should be reported immediately to one's supervisor as required in the WSU Accident Reporting and Follow-up Policy of the WSU Safety Policies and Procedures Manual.

Follow the links below for more information about Rabies:

• Washington State Department of Health - Rabies Prevention Guidelines <http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/rabies/rabiesgd.html>
• Human Rabies Prevention - United States, 1999 Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - MMWR January 08, 1999 / 48(RR-1);1-21
  <http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056176.htm>
• Washington State Department of Health - Rabies Fact Sheet <http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/rabiesfct.html>
• Washington State Department of Health - Rabies Summary Sheet <http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/rabies/rabsum.html>
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Rabies Fact Site <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/>

Rabies Vaccine Requirement:

There is a human vaccine that offers protection for those persons working with unvaccinated dogs/cats, carnivores and rabies-suspect species. If you work with these type of animals, it is a requirement of the WSU Animal Contact Program that you get vaccinated for rabies.

How do you get vaccinated for rabies ??

• Individuals needing to be vaccinated for rabies must register in the WSU Animal Contact Program and should ACCEPT participation in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program. The vaccination series will be scheduled through the office of the WSU Occupational Health Physician.
• Individuals needing to be vaccinated for rabies, but choosing to DECLINE participation in the Medical Health and Risk Assessment element of the program should get vaccinated by their personal physician.

Page updated: March 7, 2002

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URL: http://www.ehs.wsu.edu/rabies.asp

Revised
3/7/02
Reviewed
07/25/07