In 2014, 2,819 specimens were submitted to Hinton State Laboratory Institute (HSLI) for rabies testing. Of these specimens, 148 (5%) tested positive for rabies. Table 2 shows data on positive animals for 2014. In 2014, four domestic animals tested positive; all were cats. Three of these cases illustrate why domestic animals with wounds of unknown origin must be treated as possible rabies exposures. While visiting Pennsylvania (PA) a Middlesex County resident found a kitten and returned with it to Massachusetts (MA). The kitten was from a litter, all of which had wounds of unknown origin. Two weeks later, the kitten developed fever and ataxia, was euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Five MA adults who syringe-fed the kitten received post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). One dog in the home was placed under quarantine. The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) worked with PA public health officials to identify the litter of kittens in PA and human exposures there. In Worcester County, a cat was captured by the local animal inspector (AI) and brought for care for apparent broken hind legs. After surgery, the cat died. Because it bit a veterinary technician during treatment, it was submitted and tested positive for rabies. The technician and another with an open wound exposed to the cat’s saliva, received PEP. The local AI posted flyers in the area and one adult and one teenager were identified as exposed and both received PEP. The local health department issued a press release and the local AI collected additional stray cats that may have been exposed to the rabid cat. A kitten found with a wound of unknown origin a month earlier was placed in a foster home in Essex County. Approximately a week after placement, the kitten developed symptoms of neurologic illness and was returned to the shelter. From there, it was taken to a veterinary clinic where it was euthanized. It was submitted and tested positive for rabies. The foster owner and two staff members at the veterinary clinic were bitten by the kitten and all received PEP. Four other cats in the foster home were placed under quarantine.
In 2014, 2,819 specimens were submitted to Hinton State Laboratory Institute (HSLI) for rabies testing. Of these specimens, 148 (5%) tested positive for rabies. Table 2 shows data on positive animals for 2014. In 2014, four domestic animals tested positive; all were cats. Three of these cases illustrate why domestic animals with wounds of unknown origin must be treated as possible rabies exposures. While visiting Pennsylvania (PA) a Middlesex County resident found a kitten and returned with it to Massachusetts (MA). The kitten was from a litter, all of which had wounds of unknown origin. Two weeks later, the kitten developed fever and ataxia, was euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Five MA adults who syringe-fed the kitten received post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). One dog in the home was placed under quarantine. The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) worked with PA public health officials to identify the litter of kittens in PA and human exposures there. In Worcester County, a cat was captured by the local animal inspector (AI) and brought for care for apparent broken hind legs. After surgery, the cat died. Because it bit a veterinary technician during treatment, it was submitted and tested positive for rabies. The technician and another with an open wound exposed to the cat’s saliva, received PEP. The local AI posted flyers in the area and one adult and one teenager were identified as exposed and both received PEP. The local health department issued a press release and the local AI collected additional stray cats that may have been exposed to the rabid cat. A kitten found with a wound of unknown origin a month earlier was placed in a foster home in Essex County. Approximately a week after placement, the kitten developed symptoms of neurologic illness and was returned to the shelter. From there, it was taken to a veterinary clinic where it was euthanized. It was submitted and tested positive for rabies. The foster owner and two staff members at the veterinary clinic were bitten by the kitten and all received PEP. Four other cats in the foster home were placed under quarantine.
rabies%20annuall%20summary%202014.docx