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Human exposure to rabid animals has been reported from three of the United States.
The first report was from Spencer in the state of Iowa where a 10-year-old child was bitten whilst handling a sick bat that fell from a tree. The bat tested positive for rabies virus and the child is currently receiving post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. Several other children are thought to have handled that bat and they have been asked to come forward for treatment.
In Lowell in the state of Vermont, a stray cat viciously attacked four individuals and a dog in two separate incidents. The cat tested positive for rabies virus post-mortem.
The third report of human exposure to rabies virus came from Grayson County, Texas. At the end of June 2012, a show cow tested positive for rabies virus. Officials consider that as the animal was a family pet, exposure to rabies virus will most likely have taken place. Bovine rabies is relatively rare and of the 232 counties in Texas that test for animal rabies, only 9 included bovine rabies.
Advice for Travellers
Travellers must be aware that rabies virus circulates in terrestrial animals in the US e.g. raccoons and skunks and should avoid contact with wildlife. All animal bites should be reported and carefully assessed; post-exposure treatment is accessible.
