Historical Note and Disclaimer

This monograph should be used for historical purposes only, as an example of how the quality of surveillance and reporting of animal rabies, and rabies prevention in humans can be improved through health care provider education. For many years, it has remained one of the most popular links on the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice website.

The original monograph was published online in 1998, and revised 2001, in response to a large increase in public concern about exposures to rabies in Washington State during the late 1990s. Historically, Washington State is a low risk area for rabies with bats as the main rabies reservoir. While rabies is present in wild terrestrial animals in the United States, such as skunks and raccoons, rabid terrestrial animals are very rarely reported in Washington State. However, in the 1990's, two human rabies cases occurred, both related to bat exposures. This generated a large amount of public concern about rabies. This monograph was part of a general public health effort, including workshops, and media bulletins, to educate the public and health care providers on appropriate preventive measures.

While the epidemiology of rabies in Washington State has not changed substantially since the beginning of the 21st century, readers should refer to current guidelines in the following websites:

For current information about Rabies and Rabies Prevention in the United States, see the CDC's rabies website.

For current surveillance and reporting of Rabies and Rabies Prevention in Washington State see their notifiable conditions page on rabies.