Rabies in Vermont

Rabies alert poster

Rabies is a fatal viral disease found mainly in wildlife (especially raccoons, foxes, bats, skunks and woodchucks) but can infect domestic animals and humans.

Hundreds of cases of animal rabies have been reported throughout Vermont since 1992 and the outbreak will continue to be a problem for many years.

No one can tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. Rabid animals may seem normal or can be lethargic or aggressive. Usually there is a change in normal behavior. Any animal wounded by a wild animal not available for testing must be regarded as having been exposed to rabies.

Rabies is mainly transmitted by a bite.

However, rare non-bite exposures can occur if wet infectious saliva or nerve tissue contacts a fresh open wound or the eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies virus is not found in blood, urine, feces or skunk spray.

People are advised to avoid any animal that exhibits strange behavior, and not to try and trap or capture the animal themselves, but instead to call the state’s Rabies Hotline at 1-800-472-2437 (800-4-RABIES).

Prevent rabies by

If you think you have found orphaned wildlife, don’t touch them. Call the Hotline numbers below for help, or contact your area game warden.

If you are bitten by an animal:

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Bats

Bats and Rabies

Bats are an important part of our ecosystem but should be appreciated at a distance. Bats are increasingly implicated in human rabies cases. A bat found in a room with a sleeping individual or an unattended child or a bat that has made physical contact with an individual should be tested for rabies.

For more information visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

White Nose Syndrome

White nose syndrome affected over 500,000 hibernating bats across the Northeast during the winter of 2007/2008, with many of the infected bats becoming ill and dying. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is working with its national counterpart to determine the cause. Dead or sick bats should not be handled. While a percentage of them may carry rabies, it is more likely they are affected by white nose syndrome. If several dead or sick bats are observed, contact the Fish and Wildlife Department.

Domestic Animals

A booster should be considered for a currently vaccinated domestic pet with wounds of unknown origin, and an unvaccinated domestic pet should be immediately vaccinated and kept under the owner’s control and observation for six months (additional boosters at three and eight weeks should be considered in high risk situations). For veterinarians, log rabies conversations with owners on the animal's record.

The local town health officer can require the confinement and observation of an apparent healthy domestic animal that bites an individual, regardless of vaccination status, for ten days for signs of illness, usually at a responsible owner's residence.

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The Vermont Department of Health is responsible for the prevention of rabies in humans.

The Department of Health is also responsible for the management of animals that may have exposed humans, assesses human and animal rabies exposure, coordinates rabies specimen testing and provides vaccination guidelines.

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Rabies Clinics

The majority of rabies clinics held in Vermont are over for the year. Rabies clinics are generally conducted during the month of March to coincide with the April 1 registration due date of dog licenses.

Rabies clinics are occasionally held at other times of the year. The Humane Society of Chittenden County is planning one in September 2008. Your local humane society or veterinarian may have information on rabies clinics or low cost rabies vaccinations in your area.

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Vermont Rabies Bait Drop

More Information

National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rabies Hotlines and Health Advisories

HOTLINES

Health Advisories

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