RABIES INFORMATION

General Information

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted through direct contact of infected mammalian body fluids. The disease is usually spread when when an infected animal bites another animal or person. However, rabies can be spread when infected saliva, or other fluid, enters an open cut, mouth or eyes. The virus enters the bloodstream and travels to the nervous system where it replicates. The incubation period of rabies can vary depending on the species of the animal and the location of the infection site. It is common practice to quarantine a rabies suspect animal for 10 days. If the animal develops signs of rabies or dies within this period, brain tissue samples are sent to the New Jersey State Rabies Laboratory in Trenton, New Jersey for testing. The animal may have to be quarantined for a longer period depending on the circumstances. It could take several days or months for symptoms to appear. A positive diagnosis for rabies can be made only by laboratory examination of brain and salivary tissues after the death of the animal.

What are the symptoms of Rabies?

Early in the disease, slight temperament or behavioural changes may be observed. As the disease progresses, the animal may become increasingly agitated or excitable, and may try to eat unusual objects. The animal may develop trouble swallowing and will drool excessively. Rabid animals are often extremely aggressive. Seizures may indicate the end stage of the disease. Other symptoms include: staggering, hind-end paralysis, facial convulsions, attacking their own body parts and loss of fear around humans.

Which animals are affected by Rabies?

All mammals can be affected by rabies, however, some are more susceptible than others. For example; foxes, skunks, bats, and raccoons are more likely to infected than squirrels, rabbits, opossums and domestic animals.

What are the procedures if bitten by an animal?

Anyone who is bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should immediately seek medical attention and report the incident to your local Police Department and to your local Animal Control Officer. Rabies treatments are only effective if started immediately following exposure. The same procedure goes for pets that have been attacked by other animals even if your pet has had rabies vaccinations.

Can Rabies be prevented?

Yearly vaccination of dogs and cats is the best way to reduce human and pet exposure. A vaccinated pet that encounters a rabid animal has a much better chance of being treated than an unvaccinated pet. Control of stray animals can decrease the spread of rabies. Contact with wildlife should be avoided and do not keep wild animals as pets! Never attempt to remove or re-locate wildlife without consulting a professional. Always report unusual behaviour to the Animal Control Office.

Is Raccoon Rabies different from other Rabies?

No. Raccoon rabies is the exact same disease as the rabies that effects other animals. Raccoon rabies is a strain of rabies that is spread mainly by raccoons. All other animals can be infected with raccoon rabies. Since there is a large raccoon population in this area, precautions and protective measures are being taken to prevent the spread of this strain of the disease.

The Bottom Line on Rabies...

The incidence of rabies has dramatically declined since the 1980's. We have gone from several hundreds of cases of rabies being reported each year to only a few. Public education and preventative measures can go a long way in keeping this disease under control. For more information please contact your local Animal Control Office or Health Department or email us at animal@twp.stafford.nj.us.

WEST NILE INFORMATION

What is West Nile virus encephalitis?

West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease, which can cause an inflammation of the brain. WNV is commonly found in Africa, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus, which was found in New Jersey in 1964 and 1975. For the first time in North America, WNV was confirmed in the New York metropolitan area during the summer and fall of 1999. WNV successfully over-wintered in the northeastern United States and was present in humans, horses, birds, and mosquitoes in 2000 and 2001. Preparations are being made to monitor for WNV activity again in 2002.

How do people get West Nile virus encephalitis?

WNV is transmitted to people by the bite of a mosquito that has become infectious after feeding on a bird infected with the virus. Birds serve as the reservoir hosts of WNV, and the principal vector in the transmission from one bird to another is the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens and other Culex mosquitoes. WNV has also been found in several species of Aedes mosquitoes, which could serve as bridge vectors by transmitting it to humans or horses.

How many cases of West Nile virus infection occurred in New Jersey in 2001?

Twelve residents of New Jersey, out of a total of 110 which initially met WNV testing criteria, have been confirmed positive for WNV to date.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?

Most infections produce no symptoms in people, or symptoms are mild or moderate. Symptoms may include: fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infections may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and, rarely, death.

What tests does the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) do to determine a human case of West Nile virus encephalitis?

To screen potential cases for WNV, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples are sent to the Public Health and Environmental Laboratory (PHEL) for an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test that detects antibodies IgG & IgM in sera and IgM only in cerebrospinal fluid.

What is a confirmatory test?

If the ELISA test is positive, samples are then forwarded to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), which is the final confirmatory test for WNV in humans.

How is West Nile encephalitis treated?

There is no specific therapy. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, i.e., hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids, airway management, respiratory support (ventilator) if needed, prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.

What is the incubation period in humans?

Symptoms usually appear 5 to 15 days from the time a mosquito carrying WNV infects a person.

Where did the people with West Nile virus encephalitis in New Jersey in 2001 become infected?

The patients resided in 6 different counties, but it is not possible to determine where each patient was bitten by infectious mosquitoes. It is most important that residents in all parts of the state take preventive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites, as outlined in this Fact Sheet and other educational materials.

Should outdoor activities in August and September be cancelled when there is evidence of West Nile virus activity?

There is no reason to change plans for outdoor activities, but common sense should be taken to avoid mosquito bites, particularly at dusk and early evening.

What proportion of people die when infected with WNV?

Since the majority of infected persons are asymptomatic, the fatality rate is less than 1%. However, case fatality rates for hospitalized patients may range from 3% to 15%, and are highest in the elderly.

Can you get WNV directly from crows or from other people?

There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, avoid barehanded contact when handling any dead animal. WNV is NOT transmitted from person-to-person. There is some evidence that crow-to-crow transmission of WNV is possible without mosquito vectors.

What is the basic transmission cycle for WNV?

Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on birds with the virus circulating in their blood. After an incubation period of 10 days to two weeks, the infected mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to other animals or humans when biting to take a second blood meal.

Why are crows, but not most other dead birds, tested for WNV?

From 1999 - 2001, there was a large die-off of crows from WNV in New Jersey and other states. Although other birds can also become infected with the virus, the mortality rate is much lower in other birds. Because crows are extremely susceptible to WNV, they are very useful as sentinels to monitor viral activity. In 2001, 1073 were confirmed positive for WNV from 20 counties in New Jersey.

What other kinds of surveillance are conducted to detect WNV activity in New Jersey?

As part of a multi-agency plan to monitor WNV and prevent virus transmission in 2001, surveillance activities were conducted in all 21 counties to detect and monitor the virus in crows, hawks, falcons, urban birds, sentinel chickens, horses and mosquitoes, as well as surveillance for human cases. A total of 1073 birds (mostly crows) from 20 counties, 357 mosquito pools from 20 counties, 31 sentinel chickens from Monmouth County and 9 humans (to date) were confirmed positive for WNV.

What agencies conduct the surveillance and provide mosquito control services?

The WNV surveillance plan is coordinated among a number of state and local agencies. They include the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Mosquito Control and Coordination; NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS); Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health; Rutgers University, 21 county mosquito control agencies, local health departments, physicians and hospitals, in addition to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other states in the region.

The primary responsibility for mosquito control rests with the 21 county mosquito control agencies. Each agency conducts numerous activities that include: education, surveillance, source reduction and biological and chemical control of larval and adult mosquitoes.

Can West Nile virus cause illness in dogs and cats?

The virus does not usually cause illness in dogs and cats. WNV was isolated from a cat in Union county, New Jersey in 1999, but this is the only case recorded in cats. A serosurvey of dogs and cats in the New York WNV epidemic area in 1999 showed a low infection rate in healthy dogs and cats. There is no evidence that a dog or cat can transmit the virus to humans or other animals.

What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with WNV?

Eliminate stagnant water around the home in discarded tires, blocked gutters, unclean birdbaths, poorly maintained pools, and any type of receptacle with decaying organic matter. Limit outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and in the early evening, when possible. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors. Make sure screen doors and windows are in good condition. When outside, use an effective skin or clothing mosquito repellent. Always use a repellent according to the directions on the product label.

Who can I contact to ask about mosquito control spraying in my area?

You can call your county mosquito control agency. As the pesticide applicator, with professional staff licensed to apply mosquito larvicides and adulticides, the county agency can answer questions regarding insecticide applications in your community.

LYME DISEASE INFORMATION

AVOID wooded areas with dense shrubs and leaf litter.

MAKE your yard less attractive to ticks: mow lawns and prune trees.

WEAR solid, light,colored clothing with pants tucked into socks. Use skin and/or clothing insect repellents for you and your pets. Read label directions carefully.

EXAMINE yourself frequently while in tick-infested areas.

PERFORM a full-body exam on yourself, children, and pets after leaving tick habitat.

REMOVE attached ticks promptly.

USE fine-pointed tweezers.

GRASP the tick's mouth parts close to the skin.

APPLY steady outward pressure.

DO NOT use petroleum jelly, noxious chemicals, or hot objects to remove ticks. Improper removal can increase the chances of infection.

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