Rabies in Kansas: A Twenty-One Year Synopsis

Abstract

A twenty-one year data set containing all submissions for rabies examination in Kansas was summarized to determine which animals have been reported rabid from 1969-1989. There have been 12 species of animals confirmed rabid in Kansas during the 21 year period including 1529 skunks, 93 felines, 81 bats, 69 bovines, 26 equines, 23 canines, 7 raccoons, 7 foxes, 3 coyotes, 2 goats, 1 European ferret, and 1 porcine. A significant positive relationship existed between the number of diagnosed rabid skunks and the number of diagnosed rabid felines, bovines, and bats using Spearman rank correlation (0.62, 0.52, 0.50 respectively; P < 0.05). This analysis also demonstrated a positive relationship between the number of diagnosed rabid felines and bovines. This synopsis of rabies in Kansas will be useful for wildlife biologists, veterinarians and other professionals to assess the potential for rabies exposure when they come in contact with domestic and wild animals in Kansas. All animals in Kansas that are suspected of having rabies are submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Kansas State University for examination. Data concerning the number of animals submitted and the number of animals diagnosed as rabid have been recorded by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory since 1966. These data depict the most accurate representation of the past and present status of rabies in Kansas. Similar data sets in the mid-Atlantic States have been invaluable to health officials monitoring the current epidemic of raccoon in that area (Winkler, 1986). In order to observe the progression of the disease in each state it is necessary to know the previous history of rabies in that area including information concerning which animals are most likely to be diagnosed rabid. Facts of this nature allow an increase in the number of rabid animals to be quickly detected, subsequently allowing the public to be alerted to a change in the status of rabies in their state. These data were compiled to serve as baseline information which will enable individuals to detect any changes that might occur in the status of rabies in Kansas.