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Emergence of Raccoon Rabies in Connecticut, 1991–1994: Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Animal Infection and Human Contact
Mark L. Wilson
Mark L. Wilson
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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Philip M. Bretsky
Philip M. Bretsky
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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George H. Cooper Jr.
George H. Cooper Jr.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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Stephen H. Egbertson
Stephen H. Egbertson
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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Herbert J. Van Kruiningen
Herbert J. Van Kruiningen
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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Matthew L. Cartter
Matthew L. Cartter
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, Epidemiology Section and Bureau of Laboratories, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology, Northeastern Research Center for Wildlife Diseases, University of Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut
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The North American raccoon rabies epizootic continues to expand, now affecting most of New England. In 1990, raccoons became the vertebrate most often reported rabid in the United States. Emergence of this zoonosis poses increasing, but poorly defined risks to humans. This study analyzed various demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors associated with animal infection and human exposure before and during the epizootic in Connecticut. Rabies virus infections among terrestrial vertebrates were analyzed from 1985 through 1994. From March 1991, when the first case was diagnosed, through December 1994, 2,522 of 13,147 animals tested were found positive for rabies viral antigen. Forty-seven percent of the raccoons tested were infected, representing 88.0% of all animals found positive. Domestic animals constituted only 1.7% of positive test results, but 40.6% of the tests performed. The epizootic wave of transmission advanced approximately 30 km/year. Most rabies-positive wild animals were taken from private properties, usually near houses. Possible human exposures involved 939 people on 556 occasions through direct contact (20.7%) or indirectly through another animal (79.3%). Of 3,239 domestic animals exposed to rabies-positive wild animals, 18.4% lacked vaccination. Rabies has become enzootic in Connecticut and risk to humans and animals persists. The public health burden is considerable, yet knowledge is lacking to develop sustainable prevention strategies.
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| Past two years | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 694 | 277 | 15 |
| Full Text Views | 34 | 4 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 34 | 7 | 0 |