Rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Public health measures focus on preventing transmission from animals to humans by controlling rabies in the animal population, and by providing immediate and effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if exposure occurs.
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system producing an acute illness with rapidly progressive signs and symptoms of anxiety, difficulty in swallowing, seizures and sometimes paralysis.
Rabies is preventable. Animals both wild and domestic are a potential source of transmission of the rabies virus.
Safety Guidelines & Reporting Exposure
The community is advised to keep the following safe practices in mind:
- Refrain from feeding, touching, or handling any wildlife or unfamiliar animals.
- Do not attempt to handle or approach a bat, fox, raccoon, skunk, or other wildlife.
- Teach children never to touch wildlife or any roaming animal, regardless of whether it is living or dead. Children should tell an adult immediately if they see or touch a wild animal. Bat bites may not be visible, and prompt post-exposure treatment can be lifesaving.
- Make sure your pets are current on their rabies vaccinations; this is one of the most effective protections against transmission.
- If you or your pet encounters a bat, fox, raccoon, skunk, or other wildlife, report the incident immediately to animal control and follow the required quarantine protocols. Individuals living within the San Antonio city limits are urged to call City of San Antonio Animal Care Services at 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000. If living outside the city limits, contact Bexar County Animal Control at 210-335-9000.
- Pets that encounter potentially rabid wildlife should be confined to prevent further exposure to people or animals.
- State law mandates that any actual or potential rabies exposure must be reported to the local rabies authority (Animal Care Services) for investigation and testing by the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.
- If the potentially rabid animal is within a home or building, try to keep the animal confined, but only if it can be done safely and without direct contact.
- If possible, wait for Animal Control to respond and avoid striking the animal. Physical trauma can damage the brain and make laboratory rabies testing impossible.
Treatment
Administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (treatment) (PEP) is a medical urgency not a medical emergency. All bite wounds must first receive proper wound care and treatment in an acute care or primary care setting (ER or Primary Care Provider).
Only medical professionals licensed in Texas can administer anti-rabies biologicals to humans.
“Prophylaxis should begin immediately after exposure, ideally within 24 hours. However, a delay of several days does not compromise effectiveness, and prophylaxis should be initiated if indicated, regardless of the interval between exposure and initiation of therapy.”
Red Book, 2006 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 27th Ed.
The initial treatment consists of Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) given according to weight, and the first dose of rabies vaccine (day 0). Subsequent doses of PEP are to be administered by the Primary Care Physician (PCP) or a physician who will monitor the client and complete the treatment on days 3, 7, and 14.
HRIG provides immediate protection to the patient against the virus that causes rabies while the patient’s immune system works to build long-lasting protection with the help of the rabies vaccine.
Get Vaccinated
A vaccine depot such as Metro Health is not under authorization by the state of Texas to administer the rabies vaccine, but rather to have the anti-rabies biologicals accessible to health care providers. Patients may obtain rabies vaccine from Metro Health to be administered in the PCP’s office.
NOTE: Please call the Rabies Surveillance Nurse at 210-207-2095 prior to your visit to Metro Health.
It will take approximately 24 hours for vaccine delivery. The release of anti-rabies biologicals and/or rabies immune globulin will require a written prescription from the treating physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. Prescriptions from anyone other than those listed above are not accepted.
The State has the right to refuse to provide anti-rabies biologicals if the incident does not warrant rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines are used to determine a true rabies exposure. In the event that the incident does not warrant rabies PEP, the department will provide the medical professional information on purchasing anti-rabies biological.
For further instructions on the process of obtaining vaccine, call the Rabies Surveillance Nurse. This call may help to facilitate a better understanding for completion of the patient's treatment.