Abstract
Since January 2007, a total of 11 rabid deer from 4 deer farms have been identified in 2 neighboring Pennsylvania counties. Vaccination of deer against rabies, decreasing wildlife animal contact with deer, and education of deer farmers may prevent further cases of rabies in captive deer and exposures to humans.
Highlights
Rabies in Captive DeerThe primary barrier to rabies vaccination among control farms
Rabies is an acute progressive encephalitis caused by highly neurotropic zoonotic lyssaviruses
A control farm was defined as a registered deer farm that did not report any laboratory-confirmed rabies in deer
Summary
The primary barrier to rabies vaccination among control farms. Witnessed contact between deer and rabies reservoir species was relatively common (43% of farms reported contact with skunks, and 36% reported contact with raccoons) (Table 2). Each of the 4 deer farmers from case farms received rabies PEP because of exposures to the rabid deer. Case farms had significantly higher selfreported knowledge about rabies, probably because of their direct experience with the disease (Table 2). Knowledge of rabies among control farms was low (90% of farmers reported knowledge as basic), and none of the farmers indicated that they should wash with soap and water if potentially exposed to the rabies virus (Table 2)
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