A directory of LHDs is posted online at www.localhealth.nj.gov. LHDs can be also contacted through police departments in the event of an emergency. LHD staff will consult with the persons bitten or exposed to rabies and will make recommendations regarding rabies prophylaxis to their health care provider.
Full Answer
What is postexposure prophylaxis for rabies?
Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14. For people who have never been vaccinated against rabies previously, postexposure prophylaxis ...
What medical care will I receive if I have been exposed to rabies?
What medical care will I receive if I may have been exposed to rabies? Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.
How effective are rabies Pep biologics?
Fortunately, rabies PEP biologics (human rabies immune globulin and human rabies vaccine) are extremely effective in preventing rabies, if given in a timely manner following exposure to a rabid animal. This guide will review when and how to administer rabies PEP and will address frequently asked questions.
How much does it cost to prevent rabies?
Cost of Rabies Prevention. Although the cost varies, a course of rabies immune globulin and four doses of vaccine given over a two-week period typically exceeds $3,000. The cost per human life saved from rabies ranges from approximately $10,000 to $100 million, depending on the nature of the exposure and the probability of rabies in a region.
Where can I get a rabies shot for humans in NJ?
Rabies Vaccine Available At ID Care | NJ's Infectious Disease Specialists.
How much is a rabies shot for a dog in NJ?
About the Clinic There is no charge for the rabies vaccine. If your pet has had a previous rabies shot, please bring the certificate with you when you come. You will also need proof of NJ residence. Dogs and cats must be older than 4 months to receive a rabies shot.
How much does PEP cost for rabies?
PEP includes doses of rabies immune globulin based on the weight of the patient and four rabies vaccine shots delivered at days 3, 7 and 14 after the first vaccination. The series can cost between $4,000 and $10,000 — or more, depending on where and how it's delivered, experts estimated.
Where do you give anti rabies?
For adults, the vaccination should always be administered intramuscularly in the deltoid area (arm). For children, the anterolateral aspect of the thigh is also acceptable.
Can I give my dog rabies vaccine at home?
However, by law you cannot administer a rabies vaccine at home. They must be given by a Veterinarian. Many pets therefore go without a rabies vaccine and their exposure to such a deadly virus is imminent. Rabies is a spread primarily through wild animals like bats, opossums, and raccoons.
How often should a dog get a rabies shot in NJ?
Rabies shots for Cats and Dogs: Rabies Shots are required by New Jersey state law for all dogs and cats, even those who are primarily indoor or indoor only. The first Rabies vaccine is good for one year. Each vaccine after that is good for 3 years.
Can I take rabies vaccine after 3 days?
The first dose should be given as soon as possible and the second dose three days later. Rabies immunoglobulin should NOT be given.
How long is rabies PEP effective?
Human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) is infiltrated around the site of the bite(s), and provides rapid passive immune protection with a half-life of approximately 21 days. It is administered only once, on the first day of the PEP regimen (designated Day 0).
Is post-exposure prophylaxis effective against rabies?
However, the disease is preventable with timely implementation of vaccination after exposure to a suspected rabid animal (named Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, PEP). PEP equals more than 20 million treatments per year and has been an effective control measure to rabies for more than 100 years [3].
Is 7 days too late for rabies vaccine?
A patient who was bitten by a bat a few months ago is wondering if it is too late to receive rabies PEP. There is no time limit regarding the administration of PEP after an exposure.
Can I take rabies vaccine after 10 days?
✓ If the bite is by a dog or cat and the animal is alive & healthy till 10 days after bite or it is humanely killed and its brain is found to be negative for rabies in the lab, vaccination may be stopped after the 3rd dose (dose of day 7).
Can I take rabies vaccine after 4 days?
The first dose of the 5-dose course should be administered as soon as possible after exposure. This date is then considered day 0 of the post exposure prophylaxis series. Additional doses should then be administered on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the first vaccination.
What is PEP in rabies?
Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.
What are the side effects of rabies shots?
Mild, local reactions to the rabies vaccine, such as pain, redness, swelling , or itching at the injection site, have been reported.
Is rabies prevention a serious matter?
Rabies prevention is a serious matter and changes should not be made in the schedule of doses. Patient assistance programs that provide medications to uninsured or underinsured patients are available for rabies vaccine and immune globulin.
Can you transmit rabies to other people?
People cannot transmit rabies to other people unless they themselves are sick with rabies. PEP will protect you from developing rabies, and therefore you cannot expose other people to rabies. You can continue to participate in your normal activities.
Can rabies cause headaches?
Rarely, symptoms such as headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, and dizziness have been reported. Local pain and low-grade fever may follow injection of rabies immune globulin. The vaccine should be given at recommended intervals for best results.
Does PEP include rabies?
For people who have never been vaccinated against rabies previously , postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) should always include administration of both HRIG and rabies vaccine.
How long should you be confined to a dog for rabies?
find the animal with assistance of local animal control. If found, the domestic animal in question should be confined and observed for 10 days from the date of the exposure. If the animal is not found in five days, PEP should be considered for exposed persons. Although rabies in domestic animals is rare, PEP is generally recommended for individuals with an exposure from a dog or cat which cannot be observed or tested. The physician and patient should consider the behavior and general health status of the animal, and the circumstances of the exposure (i.e., was exposure provoked?) when deciding to begin PEP.
How long does it take to report a rabies bite in New Jersey?
Every physician is legally required to report all animal bites (N.J.S.A. 26:4-79) and all rabies PEP administrations (N.J.A.C. 8:57-1.5) within 24 hours of initial medical treatment to the local health department (LHD) with jurisdiction where the patient resides. The contact information for LHDs can be found under the municipal listing in the telephone book or on-line at www.localhealth.nj.gov.
Can non-bite exposure cause rabies?
“Non- bite exposures from animals very rarely cause rabies. However, occasional reports of non-bite transmission suggest that such exposures require assessment to determine if sufficient reasons exist to consider postexposure prophylaxis. The non-bite exposures of highest risk appear to be among surgical recipients of corneas, solid organs, and vascular tissue transplanted from patients who died of rabies and persons exposed to large amounts of aerosolized rabies virus. Two cases of rabies have been attributed to probable aerosol exposures in laboratories, and two cases of rabies have been attributed to possible airborne exposures in caves containing millions of free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) in the Southwest. However, alternative infection routes cannot be discounted. Similar airborne incidents have not occurred in approximately 25 years, probably because of elevated awareness of such risks resulting in increased use of appropriate preventive measures.
Can rabies be transmitted by bites?
The risk for transmission varies in part with the species of biting animal, the anatomic site of the bite, and the severity of the wound. Although risk for transmission might increase with wound severity, rabies transmission also occurs from bites by some animals (e.g., bats) that inflict rather minor injury compared with larger-bodied carnivores, resulting in lesions that are difficult to detect under certain circumstances.”
Is New Jersey enzootic?
New Jersey (NJ) is currently enzo otic for the raccoon and bat variant rabies viruses. Raccoon variant rabies virus crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania into NJ in the fall of 1989 and has spread throughout the state. Rabid bats are found throughout the country including in NJ. Raccoons and other animals infected with the raccoon variant, as well as bats infected with bat variant strains of the virus, present a continual threat to NJ residents and their domestic animals. Although approximately 60 - 70 percent of the terrestrial animals confirmed to be rabid through laboratory testing every year are raccoons, many other terrestrial animals, especially skunks, foxes, groundhogs, and cats, also become infected from contact with raccoons. The NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) estimates that approximately 2,500 people in the State receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) annually, due to exposure to known or suspect rabid animals.
What is the rabies unit?
The Rabies Unit of the Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) facilitates human prophylaxis programs AND supports rabies prevention and control programs in animal populations. It is the only rabies TESTING laboratory in New Jersey. The Rabies Unit is responsible for providing safe, accurate and timely laboratory testing ...
How do you know if you have rabies in your animal?
Signs of rabies virus in animals may vary by species and stage of the disease. The most obvious signs and behaviors associated with rabies in animals (wild or domestic) is abnormal behavior, such as: Nonspecific symptoms including lethargy, fever, vomiting, paralysis, seizures, anorexia, difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What is a DFA test?
The dFA test is based on the observation that animals infected by rabies virus will have rabies virus proteins (antigens) present in the brain tissue. The test uses a fluorescent marker-labeled anti-rabies antibody. When labeled antibody is incubated with rabies-suspect brain tissue, it will bind to the rabies antigens.
How long does it take to pick up a rabies sample?
Any animal not decapitated will be required to be picked up (WITHIN 24 HOURS) by the sender-provider, for decapitation of the animal, prior to testing. All non-bat, rabies samples (heads) must be drained of blood before packaging for timely shipment to PHEL.
How is rabies transmitted?
The virus is transmitted through the bite or exposure to tissue, saliva or any body fluids from an infected animal. The highest risk exposure involves a bite, a scratch, or other break in the skin. This results in direct exposure to the virus in ...
What time does the rabies unit open?
Contact the Rabies Unit. The Rabies Unit is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. It is closed on weekends and holidays. For emergency rabies testing, contact the Communicable Disease Service Rabies Lead at 609-826-4871 or 609-826-4882.
Why are rabies units bio-safty?
All rabies unit procedures have been Bio-Saftey Risk Assessed to assure proper specimens handling and disposal of contaminated materials. This protects both staff and the public from potential exposure to dangerous pathogens. No tissue, head or carcass can be returned to providers, the public or veterinarians.
How much does rabies treatment cost?
Although the cost varies (typically from about $1,200 to $6,500), a course of rabies immune globulin and four doses of vaccine given over a two-week period averages about $3,800, not including costs for hospital treatment or wound care.
How much does the US spend on rabies?
The estimated public health expenditures on rabies disease diagnostics, prevention, and control in the US is $245 to $510 million annually.