Rabies Cases Among Cats on the Rise

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While reported cases of
rabies in the United States dropped in 2008, veterinarians and public health
officials warn that an increase in the number of reported cases in cats poses
a health risk to both animals and people.

There were 6,841 reported cases of animal rabies in the United States and
Puerto Rico in 2008, according to a report issued by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in the Sept. 15, 2009, edition of
the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The number
represents a 3.1 percent decrease from the 7,060 rabies cases in animals
reported to the CDC in 2007. There were two cases of rabies in humans in 2008,
up from one case reported in 2007.

According to the CDC report, rabies continues to affect wildlife much more
than it does domestic animals. Wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, skunks
and foxes, accounted for 93 percent of all rabies cases reported in 2008, the
report states.

More work needs to be done, however, when it comes to controlling rabies in
pets, especially cats and dogs. Cats led the list of domestic animals with
reported cases of rabies in 2008. According to the CDC report, there were 294
reported cases of rabies in cats last year, up about 12 percent from the 262
reported cases in 2007. Dog-related cases totaled 75 in 2008, down from 93 in
2007.

Jesse Blanton, an epidemiologist at the CDC, said cats have more interaction
with wildlife, where they are prone to being bitten by a rabid animal, and
they aren't getting the vaccinations they need.

"The CDC's general belief is that people are doing a good job vaccinating
their dogs, but not their cats," Blanton said. "We have controlled canine
rabies through the vaccination of domestic dogs, so we know that vaccinating
works."

The belief that cats aren't getting their necessary shots is supported by data
from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) report that indicates
36.3 percent of U.S. cat-owning households did not visit a veterinarian in
2006. In contrast, the report, "U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics
Sourcebook," indicates that 17.3 percent of dog-owning households did not
visit a veterinarian in 2006.

The simple act of vaccinating a pet, Blanton said, provides protection to the
animal and the humans with whom it may come in contact. Veterinarians can
vaccinate dogs and cats, and they will advise clients on the recommended or
required frequency of vaccination needed.

Rabies remains a threat worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people every year,
according to the World Health Organization. The release of the CDC report
comes at an opportune time for continued public education, as World Rabies Day
is approaching on Sept. 28. World Rabies Day, now in its third year, aims to
raise awareness about the public health impact of human and animal rabies. For
more information on World Rabies Day, visit the AVMA's World Rabies Day Web
page.

The AVMA and its more than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in wide
variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal,
human and public health.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association

David Kirkpatrick of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
+1-847-285-6782, Cell: +1-847-409-0519, dkirkpatrick@avma.org