Skip to content Cat-scratch Disease: Bartonella henselae, a
rickettsial organism, is associated with cat-scratch disease. In
young cats a chronic, asymptomatic bacteremia can occur. The
disease can be transmitted to humans by bites, scratches or
licks and can result in regional lymphadeopathy, fever, headache
and splenomegaly. In immunocompromised people, a severe systemic
or recurrent infection can occur. Prevention: The use of
appropriate handling techniques and protective clothing should
minimize the likelihood of exposure to bites and scratches from
cats. Rabies: The incidence of rabies in wildlife in the United
States has increased in recent years and there is a possibility
of transmission to dogs and cats with uncertain vaccination
history. Rabies is very rare in the laboratory environment but
any random source animal or wild animal showing central nervous
system signs must be considered a potentially rabid animal. The
rabies virus is most commonly transmitted to other animals or
humans by the bite of a