Rabies Information

Rabies Exposure Evaluation and Treatment in Scott County

Providers can utilize the following resources to learn more about animal and human rabies disease epidemiology, disease reporting and case investigation, and controlling further spread. 

Exposure

If a person has been bitten by an animal, the Health Department encourages them to immediately wash the wound with soap and water and then proceed to report the bite to animal control and contact their health care provider for further investigation regarding possible rabies exposure.

Bat Exposures

The majority of human rabies cases are caused by bats carrying the virus. Bats are a special concern because their bite can sometimes leave marks not easily seen. As a precaution this may lead to situations where people should seek medical advice even in the absence of a bite wound. For example SCHD advises individuals to seek medical advice and have the bat tested if they awaken to find a bat in their room, see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person.

Assessing Rabies Exposure and Care Coordination

While we encourage exposure victims to contact their physician, we also encourage physicians to coordinate with Scott County Health Department. Because of the lethality of human rabies, the expense of post-exposure prophylaxis, and our evolving understanding of its epidemiology, the Scott County Health Department wants to coordinate the decision making on the evaluation and treatment of possible exposures.

When providers are contacted by or caring for patients with mammalian exposures (including bats), please call the Humane Society of Scott County to provide details of the potential exposure, including:

  • A description of the exposure
  • Where on the body the person was exposed
  • Demographic details about the person(s) exposed
  • Details surrounding the incident
  • Identification of the primary healthcare provider

The Humane Society will send completed reports to the Scott County Health Department. You may also call SCHD directly to report. After hours reports should be made to the local police department. 

Treatment recommendations will be made using guidance from and consultation with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Both providers and patients will be contacted with details from the Scott County Health Department. 

Rabies Treatment

The Scott County Health Department does not administer the post-exposure prophylaxis for victims of animal bites, nor does the Health Department supply the medication. When a victim has been recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis, the Health Department directs the individual back to their personal health care provider for administration of treatment.

We ask that medical providers make every effort to provide thorough assessments of need for PEP and rabies immune globulin to avoid repeated emergency room visits and costs for patients. 

Current rabies post-exposure prophylaxis regimens using rabies immune globulin and vaccine are generally very well tolerated and compatible with administration in the office setting. 

Indigent Patient Programs for Rabies Post Exposure Treatment

Often there are questions regarding options for individuals who have had a rabies exposure who are uninsured, not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, and do not have the financial means to pay for the rabies post exposure treatment. Patient support programs for rabies post exposure treatment are available, however, the patient’s healthcare provider is responsible for application and inquiry regarding patients who may be eligible.

Vaccine Update

During the summer and fall seasons, there is peak demand throughout the United States for the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis biologics. IMOVAX rabies vaccine is available through Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. For more information, contact Sanofi Pasteur at 1-800-822-2463 (1-800-VACCINE) or visit http://www.sanofipasteur.us

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