What can be done to prevent rabies transmission to humans?
By far the most important prevention is dog and cat vaccination. Also, children should be especially warned never to handle any unfamiliar animal. Explain that wild animals that can be touched may be rabid and dangerous. Ninety to 95% of sick bats are not rabid, but taking a careless chance on being bitten could prove fatal. Any animal bite should be reported immediately to a family physician or public health professional for evaluation as a possible rabies exposure. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend pre-exposure vaccinations for people who are at high risk of exposure, such as rabies researchers, veterinarians, field biologists, and animal rehabilitators. Rabies vaccines currently available in the U.S. include Imovax (HDCV-Human Diploid Cell Vaccine) and RabAvert (PCEC-Purified Chick Embryo Vaccine). Pre-exposure vaccination consists of a regimen of three 1.
