Few cases occur in the US (only 3 reported in 1991 and 9 in 1994) because of extensive animal vaccination programs.
The United Kingdom has completely eradicated rabies, which is why Americans cannot bring pets or other animals to the UK without having them undergo a 6-month quarantine.
Symptoms
* low-grade fever (102 degrees F or lower)
* pain at the site of the bite
* exaggerated sensation at the bite site
* swallowing difficulty (drinking produces spasms of the larynx) or swallowing difficulty with liquids only
* restlessness
* excitability
* muscle spasms
* convulsions
* numbness and tingling
* loss of muscle function
* loss of feeling in an area of the body
* drooling
* anxiety, stress, and tension
* positive Babinski's reflex
Signs and tests
If a person has a history of animal bite, the animal will be observed for signs of rabies. Immunofluorescence (fluorescent antibody test) or necropsy (after death) performed on the suspect animal may show that the animal has rabies.
Treatment
Clean the wound well with soap and water and seek professional care after sustaining an animal bite. Try to gather as much information about the animal as possible. Contact local animal control authorities to confine suspect animals for observation and examination if rabies is suspected.
Thorough cleaning and removal of foreign objects (debridement) from the wound is needed. Animal bite wounds usually should not be sutured. A passive immunization by human rabies immune globulin as well as immunization with a vaccine may be given if there is any risk of rabies.
